SAN FRANCISCO—A proposed ban on panhandling was denied by BART’s board of directors on Thursday, October 24.

The proposal for the ban originally came from director Debora Allen. In a direct response, the American Civil Liberties Union Northern California claimed proposing panhandling goes against the First Amendment. BART riders and officials joined the meeting to voice their opinion on the issue. 

Ali Shearron, a BART rider told KPIX, “The directors are wrong. See the directors don’t ride it everyday. That’s where they’re wrong. If you rode it everyday you’d be against it.” 

Prior to the meeting, there was a debate of what was being considered as panhandling. 

BART officials told multiple media outlets that they were not focusing on the performers, but rather people are blatantly asking for money. 

The San Francisco News contacted BART earlier this week for clarification on the proposal, but did not hear back before print.