JUDGE BACKS CHARITY GROUPS' RIGHTS AT LAX.

Byline: Janet Gilmore Daily News Staff Writer

Hare Krishnas and other charitable groups can continue soliciting money at Los Angeles International Airport, under a court order issued Friday.

U.S. District Court Judge John G. Davies granted a preliminary injunction that blocks Los Angeles from prohibiting charitable solicitation at the airport.

The ordinance was set to take effect May 15 and would bar people from asking for contributions at LAX and on surrounding sidewalks and parking lots.

Barry A. Fisher, an attorney representing the charitable groups, said Davies issued the order after a hearing attended by roughly a dozen members of the Hare Krishnas and the Committee for Human Rights in Iran.

Bret Lobner, a deputy Los Angeles city attorney, declined to comment about the case until he sees the judge's written order. He also declined to say whether the city will appeal the ruling.

Fisher contended that the City Council's rationale for the ordinance - that travelers were annoyed by solicitation - is insufficient reason to ban that activity.

Fisher contends that small, fledgling groups depend on airport solicitation for their livelihoods, and it is against the First Amendment for city officials to ban financial solicitation yet allow groups to approach airport passers-by if the discussion does not involve money.

``You can't pick and choose the speech or the subject matter,'' Fisher said.