The ACLU of Virginia sent a letter to Mayor David Smith and members of the City Council of Winchester urging them to reconsider a recent ordinance banning solicitation of motorists.
These types of broad bans on solicitation and panhandling are a violation of protected speech under the First Amendment. Similar bans have been deemed unconstitutional, and Winchester's new ordinance will not withstand a challenge in court.
The ACLU of Virginia strongly encourages the Winchester City Council to vote to rescind this unconstitutional ordinance as soon as possible.
