Group Files Papers Supporting Appeal of Panhandling Ruling - NBC29 WVIR Charlottesville, VA News, Sports and Weather

The Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression has filed court papers supporting the appeal of Charlottesville's ban of panhandling on parts of the downtown mall.      

It was filed on behalf of five homeless men who say their constitutional rights to free speech are violated by the ordinance.     

A federal court threw out the original suit in January. The brief argues the suit was tossed out before the city adequately provided proof the ordinance wasn't written to protect the city's interests.     

The appeal will be heard in the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Click here to view the court papers supporting the appeal.