SALT LAKE CITY — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will appeal a ruling by an appellate court that said it cannot restrict speech on sidewalks running through its plaza in downtown Salt Lake City.
The plaza, which used to be a section of Main Street, was purchased from the city by the religious body in 1999.
“In substance, the 10th Circuit has ruled that even though the church paid more than $8 million for the property and millions more to improve it, the church has little right to control what occurs on that property,” said Von Keetch, a lawyer representing the church.
“We find that ruling very troubling. While we respect the court’s decision, we believe this issue is so important that it deserves a review by the full court.”
The judicial panel ruled that the city should protect free-speech rights on sidewalks because they are a traditional public forum, the Associated Press said.
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