ACLU Aims at Idaho City’s Panhandling Law

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho is taking aim at the City of Boise's new rules designed to restrict panhandling downtown.

The organization — joined by two homeless plaintiffs — filed a lawsuit Monday in federal court arguing the city's ordinance is an attack on free speech rights. ACLU-Idaho Legal Director Richard Eppink also contends the rules unfairly harm families, veterans and disabled citizens struggling to make ends meet. Leaders in Idaho's biggest city approved an ordinance in September to crack down on aggressive panhandling.

The tougher rules make a first offense an infraction when panhandlers seek handouts while someone is crossing a roadway or near a sidewalk cafe. City spokesman Adam Park says the ordinance was carefully crafted to punish overzealous panhandlers yet protect free speech rights.