Why does St. Louis Lambert Airport have 'Free Speech' booths?
The St. Louis Lambert International Airport has three "Free Speech" booths located across its terminals, leaving some to wonder why they are there.
ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Lambert International Airport has three "Free Speech" booths located across its terminals, leaving some to wonder why they are there.
One booth sits directly inside the first entrance of terminal two's departure check-in area. The other two booths are located in terminal 1 before entering concourse B.
The booths are a result of International Society for Krishna Consciousness Inc. vs. Lee in 1992 and allow religious groups and organizations to practice free speech within an airport.
The U.S. Supreme Court determined that airports could not be considered a public forum to practice free speech. According to the ruling, airports exist solely for air travel and not for free expression.
Prior to the court's decision, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, a not-for-profit religious corporation, would often practice going into public places to distribute literature and asking for donations to support their religion.
Since 1992, airports across the country have adopted regulations governing speech, such as Lambert's "Free Speech" booths.
The booths are typically utilized by organizations and religious groups asking for donations, distributing literature, or petitioning and protesting. In order to use the booths, groups and organizations must first apply using an application found on Lambert airport's website, noting when and why they would like to use the booths.
"The airport authority in no way endorses these activities," according to a notice placed on the outside of the booths.
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