Herndon Residents Call For Repeal Of Pedestrian Solicitation Policy

Some residents of Herndon, Va., say newly elected town council members aren't living up to campaign promises. The residents want the council to repeal an ordinance they say targets immigrant day laborers.

Herndon's ordinance prohibits pedestrians looking for work from flagging down cars on major roads.

Jon Liss, with the immigrant advocacy group Virginia New Majority, says it's discriminatory and a violation of free speech.

He says it's time for new council members, whom he says were elected last year with the support of his group, to step up and reverse it.

"We're here to implore and to push as hard as we can and to renew our commitment to continue pushing until this ordinance is rescinded," Liss says.

Herndon resident Bill Campenni fully supports the ordinance. He says the policy has improved traffic safety -- even though no one has been cited under it.

"I have a fire extinguisher in my house I haven't used that either," Campenni says. "I may some day need to use it."

The town council discussed the policy at a closed-door meeting last night. Members have not decided whether it should be adjusted.