Do nonprofits have a constitutional right to canvass?

COLUMBUS — “For the last several years, Ohio has been at the forefront of the ongoing struggle between personal privacy and the First Amendment. Nonprofit organizations throughout the United States have been challenged by municipalities regarding the extent to which they can conduct door-to-door advocacy and fundraising – otherwise known […]

Jehovah’s Witnesses, ACLU file ‘friend of the court’ briefs in Ohio Citizen Action canvassing case

CLEVELAND — Two prominent organizations with long histories of defending the First Amendment have filed “friend of the court” briefs on behalf of Ohio Citizen Action in its appeal of a case involving canvassing restrictions in Englewood, Ohio. The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, a non-profit corporation […]

Ohio Citizen Action files legal brief appealing canvassing restrictions in Englewood

Ohio Citizen Action today asked the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse a lower court decision that upheld an ordinance in the City of Englewood, Ohio, banning all door-to-door canvassing after 6 p.m. In its legal brief, the organization states: Although it is sometimes forgotten in an era of […]

Avon Council considers changing solicitation hours

AVON — “After catching heat from a state citizen’s action group about infringing on First Amendment rights, Avon City Council is considering changing its solicitation ordinance. If amended, residents could experience solicitors knocking on their doors up to 9 p.m. during summer months. At last night’s work session, Law Director […]

Englewood sets 6 p.m. curfew on door-to-door solicitors

A nonprofit group says it violates free speech ENGLEWOOD — “A federal judge says you have the right to eat your dinner without interruption from those going door-to-door attempting to sell you something. But that ruling, which is being appealed, has touched a nerve among those who say it violates […]

Judge’s ruling forces council to amend solicitation ordinance

ENGLEWOOD – “The City Council amended its solicitation ordinance Tuesday, March 2, to bring it in line with a federal judge’s decision. U.S. District Judge Walter Rice last month upheld the city’s 6 p.m. curfew on door-to-door solicitors but struck down some minor sections of the ordinance. ‘The curfew provision […]

Judge upholds city curfew for solicitors

But he rules against Englewood’s licensing requirements in its ordinance ENGLEWOOD — “A federal judge last week upheld the city’s 6 p.m. curfew on solicitors. ‘We are thrilled to win, that he supported a 6 o’clock curfew,’ City Manager Eric Smith said of U.S. District Judge Walker Rice’s Feb. 16 […]

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