Gay Group Can Canvass at Target

A marriage equality group can continue its canvassing operations in front of Target stores, a San Diego superior court judge ruled Thursday.

The San Diego Union-Tribunereports that Judge Jeffrey B. Barton denied a preliminary injunction sought by the retailer against the group, Canvass for a Cause, but ruled that solicitors must stay 30 feet from the entrance.

Canvass for a Cause executive director Tres Watson called the ruling "a win for people who believe in free speech."

In court documents, Target attorneys argued that the group violated its no-solicitation policy and had exhibited "angry and aggressive" behavior toward shoppers outside a Target store in Poway, near San Diego.

"Our legal action was in no way related to the cause of the organization and was done so to be consistent with our long-standing policy of providing a distraction-free shopping experience by not permitting solicitors at our stores," Target representatives said last month in a statement. "Target has taken similar action against a number of organizations that represent a wide variety of causes and issues."

Read the story here.