Gospel Missions of America v. City of Los Angeles

Gospel Missions of America (GMA) appeals from the district court’s summary judgment for the City of Los Angeles (City). GMA contends that the definitions of the terms “charitable” and “solicitation” in section 44.00(b) and (g) of the Los Ange-les Municipal Code (LAMC) are unconstitutionally vague and overbroad, and that their application violates the Equal Protection Clause. We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291 , and we affirm.

I.

GMA is a non-profit corporation that ministers and provides food, shelter, clothing and money to homeless individuals who join as members. Its members solicit funds from the public, which are used to provide for the members’ needs and to support GMA. In 1992, the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department raided properties owned by GMA to investigate suspected violations by GMA of the City’s charitable solicitation laws. See LAMC §§ 44.00-44.15. In particular, section 44.09 provided that no one may solicit charitable contributions in the City without an Information Card, which could be obtained only after an applicant filed the information specified in section 44.04 with the Los Angeles Police Department. Id. §§ 44.04, 44.09. After GMA filed…