Lawsuit Filed Over Grand Junction Panhandling

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) — The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit challenging an anti-panhandling ordinance passed by the Grand Junction City Council.

The lawsuit filed Wednesday says the ordinance bans a wide range of speech protected by U.S. Constitution.

The ACLU wants to stop enforcement before the new ordinance goes into effect on Sunday. The city attorney says he will be filing a response with the courts before a hearing.

The ordinance bans panhandling after dark and near automated teller machines. It also says panhandlers cannot repeatedly or aggressively ask for money.

(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)