Saturday | July 28, 2001

Fortune smiles on tarot readers

Judge continues to allow ad signs

07/28/2001

Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS – Tarot card readers can keep on hawking their fortune-telling skills.

That was the message delivered by a federal judge who extended an order allowing Jackson Square tarot card readers to advertise without fear of arrest for violating a city litter ordinance that forbids private signs on public property.

Like the measure she issued last week, U.S. District Judge Ginger Berrigan's preliminary injunction bars the city from enforcing that section of the law as long as private signs on public property have not been abandoned by their owners.

The new order, signed Wednesday, will remain in force pending the trial of a lawsuit filed by tarot reader Michael Howells. He alleged that the city violated his free-speech rights on June 3 when police arrested him and seized his $150 sign at Jackson Square.

Mr. Howells also contended that the law is being selectively enforced against tarot card readers.

He is one of six tarot card and palm readers ticketed by police in Jackson Square early last month for posting signs describing their services.

Officers said the vendors were violating the municipal law banning private signs on public rights of way.

Though the law is not a new one, the citations marked the first time it had been used against tarot card readers, who have thronged the square since the early 1980s.

It's not clear why the ordinance was suddenly enforced, though the city has been attempting to rein in tarot and palm readers for years.

A spokeswoman for Mayor Marc Morial said the recent crackdown "was not an administration deal at all."

Police spokesman Lt. Marlon Defillo said the department issued the citations after receiving complaints about the readers but said he did not know who filed them.

-- Anonymous, July 28, 2001

Answers

Just my feelings on the subject.....IF they are any good, they shouldn't have to advertise.....it travels "word of mouth" when you are good!

PS, I do NOT do TAROT....never could understand the layers of meanings. to do the tarot well, one studies YEARS...it takes YEARS to peel each hidden inner layer. NOT something you just go buy a deck and do it.

-- Anonymous, July 28, 2001

An old friend read for Zsa Zsa and has done many readings for me through the years. She is really good and has always been accurate.

-- Anonymous, July 28, 2001

Sounds like someone is trying to get them lost in the shuffle.

talk about a raw deal.

-- Anonymous, July 28, 2001