Paseo Nuevo — Attraction in Santa Barbara

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) frequently challenges anti-panhandling ordinances, arguing they violate the First Amendment's protection of free speech. Many of these ordinances, often disguised as public safety measures, are deemed unconstitutional for restricting the content of speech or targeting specific groups. Here's a more detailed breakdown: Key Arguments in ACLU Lawsuits: Free Speech: The ACLU argues that panhandling, which involves asking for money, is a form of speech protected by the First Amendment. Content-Based Restrictions: Laws that specifically target panhandling or restrict it based on the content of the speech (asking for money) are often considered unconstitutional. Public Safety as a Pretext: The ACLU frequently challenges ordinances that claim to be based on public safety concerns but are, in reality, designed to suppress panhandling and remove people experiencing homelessness from public spaces. Discrimination: In some cases, the ACLU highlights the discriminatory impact of panhandling laws, noting that they disproportionately affect people of color and those experiencing homelessness. Examples of ACLU Involvement: Albuquerque, New Mexico: The ACLU of New Mexico successfully challenged an ordinance that restricted panhandling, arguing it violated the First Amendment. Illinois: The ACLU of Illinois fought an ordinance prohibiting panhandling in public streets and medians, resulting in a federal court declaring the law unconstitutional. Slidell, Louisiana: The ACLU of Louisiana sued the city of Slidell over an ordinance requiring panhandlers to register with the police, leading to a temporary halt in enforcement while the ordinance's legality was being reviewed. Worcester, Massachusetts: The ACLU of Massachusetts challenged two anti-panhandling ordinances, arguing they violated the right to solicit donations in public, and a federal judge eventually struck them down. Greeley, Colorado: The ACLU of Colorado successfully challenged a "median ban" that targeted panhandlers, leading the city to agree to stop enforcing the ban. Sacramento, California: The ACLU Foundation of Northern California and Legal Services of Northern California filed a lawsuit against an ordinance that restricts panhandling, arguing it violates First Amendment rights. Overall, the ACLU's litigation on panhandling demonstrates a commitment to defending the First Amendment rights of individuals, particularly those who are vulnerable and marginalized, by challenging laws that restrict their ability to express themselves in...

Being a 4th generation Santa Barbara native I am extremely saddened to see what has happened to the condition of this once thriving and bustling mall. After losing both major department store anchors it did suffer a little but there were still plenty of stores and restaurants to keep folks visiting. I haven't been frequenting downtown as often as I used to before the shut down of State St but I am able to get down there at least once a month . Normally I park in the lot behind the Canary Hotel because of the hassle of non working escalators etc in the actual mall lot. I have compromised/limited mobility so street level parking or availability of an elevator is an important thing for me. Tonight I took my family to Paseo Nuevo in hopes of getting a nice dinner. I decided to park in the actual mall lot, underground. According to signs only one elevator was working. Neither of the escalators were working, which by the way have been inoperable for months. According to the signs only one of the two banks of elevators was working. I decided to park close to the south elevator and use it to easily access the restaurant we were hoping to visit. We got to the elevator and it was not working, the call buttons were broken. This is now an ADA violation because there is no access to the street level from the parking garage. So, unable to climb the stairs due to my mobility limitations, we left. The restaurant lost out on business. We went to Goleta for dinner since there was no available street parking. The mall is looking worn and mismanaged. None of the pay kiosks near the elevators are working. People wonder why State Street is suffering. Take a walk around the mall, try using an elevator, pay kiosk, or escalator. What was once a lovely, vibrant busy shopping mall has become a dilapidated , worn out, shell of a...

I sat in the store for a long time before I got any help and when I got ”help” it was not a good experience. I had to make an appt for the next day in which they brought me in sat me in a chair, rolled me through a bunch of product and sold me a bunch of items that I didn’t really want. I don’t mean to be naïve and dumb. but they’re really good at pushing stuff on you . They’re super expensive, pushy and the clientele is not that nice. Or pardon me. They are nice when they think you might be spending money on their inferior.products. I’m bringing everything they pushed on me back to the store. There was basically nothing I really wanted except for possibly the eye syringe. Which I didn’t even get to try!. A small thing like that was $200!!! Beware if you get nabbed to go in. Take it from me, they will sell you something inferior for a ton of money. They are definitely good at smiles and sales pitch. There’s a reason they’re all attractive. Either don’t go in or good...