Signature-gatherers for petitions

[Lynda/WA]

Should stores such as Costco, Wal-Mart, and malls be allowed to ban signature-gatherers for petitions? Or should they be required to allow them to set up outside entryways on their property? Currently there are states going both ways.
Oregon just changed from requiring stores to allow petitioners last year. Now the stores have the choice.

[Mickey]

I know it's a free country and you should be able to sit anywhere you want to harass people (written with tongue in cheek), but I can't stand it when I go to a store and have people asking for money or my signature. I've often thought, "Why does the store ALLOW this???" but I didn't realize that maybe they had no choice in the matter. I think the stores should be allowed to ban them from sitting in front of their doors and harassing their customers. And there's no way to even verify if they are legitimate--you can be scammed outside the front doors of Wal-mart when they don't have a say in the matter? I don't think that's right.

[Jeff]

I don't feel its right. The establishment owns or leases that space. That includes the parking lot. I think it should be their choice. Even if the city or state has given them tax breaks to come there, it should still be the establishment's choice.

[KarlaB]

I agree with Mickey and Jeff. :)

[Amy2]

I would rather people were standing outside a store to ask for my support on a petetion than coming to my front door! You can always walk by if you are not interested in seeing what the initiative is for, but perhaps it is something that you were unfamiliar with, and if you took a moment to check it out, you found it was something you were willing to support. I know that has happened to me in both regards.

I think they (stores) should insist on polite behavior, and have a non-harassment policy.

Amy

[RCT]

Originally posted by Amy
I would rather people were standing outside a store to ask for my support on a petetion than coming to my front door!
Amy


LOL, I agree, and sometimes you can learn from them, but I too hate when people are rude and harrassing....But I guess they have a right to be out there right? because If I felt strongly enough about something I need to petion....where would I go?

[Lynda/WA]

RCT said - But I guess they have a right to be out there right?

That's the question - should petitioners have the right to stand on someone elses property just because that property is a business?

The petitioner interviewed was upset because now they are restricted to public lands. Places like the library and stands at parades. He said the great thing about a place like WalMart is that eventually you will get everybody. The library has a smaller clientel.

The store spokesperson interviewed said they were happy. In part because people would mistakenly assume the store supported whatever cause the petitioners were espousing. They (Fred Meyers) said they have been fighting this for years.

[RCT]

I guess they have the right to be out there, doesn't really cut it huh.....maybe if they aren't on the property of the store, like out at the sidewalk (where they won't get contact with the customers coming into the store, and most probably would bother us in our cars, as we try to drive out the parking lot)...I don't know, I guess they do have the right to be out there....they really aren't hurting anyone- are they?....if they are rude and harrassing, then the police should be called....JMHO