📍Guard Resources 📑

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A California court ruled that shopping centers cannot completely ban free speech activities (like handing out flyers or collecting signatures).

Even though the property is privately owned, once it’s open to the public, certain speech rights apply.

 

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Key Takeaways 

 

1.  You CANNOT have a total ban on expressive activity

• Policies that say “no soliciting, no leafletting, no petitions ever” are illegal in California

• This includes rules in:

  • Code of conduct

  • Posted signage

  • Internal policies

 A blanket prohibition will not hold up in court

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2.  You CAN still control it (with limits)

 

You are allowed to set reasonable rules, such as:

•  Where it happens (common areas vs. storefront entrances)

•  When it happens (hours, duration)

•  How it happens (no blocking access, no harassment)

 These are called “time, place, and manner” restrictions

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3.  Storefront entrances are different

 

Good news for tenants:

• Areas directly in front of stores (entrances/exits) are NOT protected speech zones

• You can restrict activity there to protect business operations

 This is critical for store managers concerned about disruption

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4.  Permit systems must be fair and clear

 

If you require permits:

• You cannot:

  • Deny everything automatically

  • Use vague or subjective criteria

• You must:

  • Have clear, objective rules

  • Apply them consistently

 “We’ll decide case-by-case” = not allowed

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5.  Even controversial speech is protected

 

• You cannot deny access just because you don’t like the message

• The court made clear:

  • Even unpopular or questionable viewpoints are protected

 Content-based decisions = high legal risk

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 Practical Impact on Operations

For Landlords / Property Managers:

• Update your Code of Conduct immediately

• Remove any blanket bans

• Create a structured policy with:

  • Defined locations for activity

  • Clear rules and process

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For Store Managers:

• You can protect your storefront

• You cannot remove someone just for leafletting in common areas

• Escalate issues if:

  • They block entrances

  • Harass customers

  • Create safety concerns

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For Security Teams:

• Do NOT enforce “zero tolerance” policies anymore

• Instead, enforce:

  • Location rules

  • Behavior standards

• Document activity, don’t escalate unnecessarily

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 Bottom Line

 You can’t ban speech—but you can manage it

•  No total bans

•  Yes to reasonable controls

•  No arbitrary permit decisions

•  Yes to protecting storefront operations

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