Target lawsuit challenges Canvass For A Cause’s free-speech rights

Dan82 · Mar 25, 2011

http://sdgln.com/news/2011/03/24/target-lawsuit-challenges-canvass-cause-free-speech-rights

Does a big-box retailer like Target have the right to ban activist groups from talking to their customers entering and leaving their stores in California?

Does an activist group like Canvass For A Cause have the right to talk to those customers outside stores like Target?
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On Friday morning, Superior Court Judge Jeffrey B. Barton will listen to arguments from both sides after Minnesota-based Target Corp. sued the San Diego-based Canvass For A Cause (CFAC) to prevent the grass-roots activist group from gathering petition signatures in front of its stores in California.

The fundamental American right to free speech is at the heart of this case, said Tres Watson, executive director of CFAC who is a San Diego resident.

In an earlier court date on March 8, Judge Barton denied a motion by Target’s attorneys seeking a temporary restraining order against CFAC. Barton ruled that the right of free speech trumps over the business interest of Target in refusing the request.

In a court document, a Target official at the Poway store complained that CFAC volunteers were talking to customers about gay marriage, among other issues, and contended that they had received complaints from some customers who were upset by the topic...

http://sdgln.com/news/2011/03/24/target-lawsuit-challenges-canvass-cause-free-speech-rights
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Dan82 · Mar 25, 2011

Target sues San Diego gay rights group

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/business/7491376.html

A judge said Friday he would issue a ruling next week in a lawsuit filed by Target Corp. against a pro-gay marriage group to make it stop canvassing outside the retailer's San Diego County stores.

The suit alleges the activists are driving away customers by cornering them and talking about gay marriage.

Rights advocates say the legal battle between Target and Canvass For A Cause could further strain the retailer's relations with the gay and lesbian community.

Target previously made a $150,000 donation to a business group backing a Minnesota Republican candidate opposed to gay marriage.

Minnesota-based Target insisted it remained committed to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and its lawsuit has nothing to do with the political agenda of the organization.

During a court hearing Friday in San Diego, Target attorney David McDowell told Judge Jeffrey Barton that the solicitors are on private property, and Target has the right to enforce its policy against solicitors...

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/business/7491376.html
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Shevanel · Mar 25, 2011

Re: Target sues San Diego gay rights group

Obviously I'm not sure of the true motivation behind the suit, but I doubt it really matters if their a gay rights group or not. Unless they're specifically allowed to be on the store grounds to sell or whatever they may be approved for, they shouldn't be there.

Dan82 · Mar 25, 2011

Re: Target sues San Diego gay rights group

Shevanel said: ↑

Obviously I'm not sure of the true motivation behind the suit, but I doubt it really matters if their a gay rights group or not. Unless they're specifically allowed to be on the store grounds to sell or whatever they may be approved for, they shouldn't be there.
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Under the Constitution of California individuals includes a provision granting individuals the right to free speech on some types of private property.

Shevanel · Mar 25, 2011

Re: Target sues San Diego gay rights group

Dan82 said: ↑

Shevanel said: ↑

Obviously I'm not sure of the true motivation behind the suit, but I doubt it really matters if their a gay rights group or not. Unless they're specifically allowed to be on the store grounds to sell or whatever they may be approved for, they shouldn't be there.
Click to expand...

Under the Constitution of California individuals includes a provision granting individuals the right to free speech on some types of private property.
Click to expand...

Oh, well. California is weird.

NickT · Mar 25, 2011

Sooo Westboro can picket a funeral but we can't talk to people outside stores?

Revan · Mar 25, 2011

Sigh...Target just took over Zellers here in Canada....woo

Target lawsuit challenges Canvass For A Cause’s free-speech rights

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