DENVER (AP) — A panhandling ban on its way to Colorado Springs faces a legal challenge from the Colorado ACLU.

The civil-liberties group announced Wednesday that it has filed a lawsuit to block the ban, which they say stifles speech.

The Colorado Springs city council gave final approval to the ban covering 12 blocks downtown. The ACLU legal challenge was filed in federal court in Denver.

Plaintiffs in the lawsuit include street musicians, advocacy groups and a wheelchair-bound panhandler.

ACLU legal director Mark Silverstein said in a statement that the panhandling ban is too broad and suppresses speech.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)