Asociación de Jornaleros de Costa Mesa v. Costa Mesa

Asociación de Jornaleros de Costa Mesa v. City of Costa Mesa is a lawsuit aimed at overturning the city of Costa Mesa's unconstitutional anti-solicitation speech ordinance.

The suit was filed on behalf of an association of day laborers in Costa Mesa whose members have been unable to peaceably advertise their need and availability for work in the city’s public areas due to the ordinance. Costa Mesa’s anti-solicitation speech ordinance prohibits any person standing on a sidewalk or other public area from soliciting employment, business or contributions in any manner deemed to be intended to attract the attention of traveling vehicles. It subjects day laborers and other solicitors to a fine of $1,000 and imprisonment up to six months. These types of ordinances are content-discriminatory.

UPDATE: March 16, 2010
The City of Costa Mesa halted enforcement of its anti-solicitation ordinance. Read more about the update.

FILING: February 2, 2010
The ACLU joined a lawsuit aimed at overturning the city of Costa Mesa’s unconstitutional anti-solicitation speech ordinance. Read more about the suit.