A U.S. conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and two of its members filed a lawsuit against an Arkansas city on Jan. 19 over a local ordinance that prevents door-to-door literature evangelism.
The lawsuit, filed by the Arkansas-Louisiana Conference, asks a U.S. district court to declare the ordinance enacted by White Hall, population 5,500, to be unconstitutional and a violation of the first amendment right to free speech.
City regulations restrict all forms of door-to-door solicitation and the expression of ideas unless those wishing to share their religious or charitable beliefs obtain a permit from the city, then pay permit fees, share significant personal information and pass a “satisfactory” investigation and review, the Seventh-day Adventist Church said in a statement.
