Federal Court Strikes Down Portland’s Ban on Panhandling in Medians: Do You Agree?

A federal judge ruled on Wednesday, that Portland's six-month-old ban on loitering and panhandling in street medians is unconstitutional. The city's ordinance took effect in August 2013 and prohibited people from sitting or standing in street medians, whether to ask for money or not.The ACLU of Maine challenged the ordinance on behalf of two political activists and a woman who stood on medians holding a cardboard sign asking for money.

U.S. District Judge George Singal heard arguments in November and ruled the ordinance unconstitutional.

It's not clear whether the city will appeal the ruling.

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