AN ALBUQUERQUE PANHANDLING ORDINANCE THAT WENT INTO EFFECT LAST YEAR WON’T BE ENFORCED BY THE CITY, FOR NOW. THE CITY AND THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION REACHED THE AGREEMENT AS PART OF A LAWSUIT THE ACLU FILED OVER THE ORDINANCE, WHICH PROHIBITS PANHANDLING ALONG MEDIANS AND OFF RAMPS.
MARIA SANCHEZ IS STAFF ATTORNEY FOR THE ACLU AND SAYS PEOPLE ARE NOW FREE TO ENGAGE IN POLITICAL SPEECH IN MEDIANS AND TO SOLICIT DONATIONS FROM THE ROADWAY. SANCHEZ SAYS BOTH SIDES HAVE AGREED TO TRY TO PUSH THE LAWSUIT THROUGH FEDERAL COURT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
