PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - The American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island wants Providence officials to rescind an anti-panhandling ordinance that’s not being enforced.

Mayor Jorge Elorza recently agreed to suspend enforcement of the prohibition after the ACLU sent him a letter in January calling for the change.

The Providence Journal reports (https://bit.ly/1M2bzfR ) the ACLU says they want the ordinance rescinded, but city officials say stopping enforcement is “sufficient.”

The ordinance was passed in 2002 and prohibits certain forms of “aggressive solicitation” in public spaces including parking lots, highways and streets. The ACLU raised concerns over whether the ordinance was constitutional and impacted the rights of the poor and homeless.

The ACLU argued that the ordinance prevents the homeless population from earning a living.

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Information from: The Providence Journal, https://www.providencejournal.com

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