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Sometimes Krishnas get a little pushy, people complain

This article, "Sometimes Krishnas get a little pushy, people complain," was published in The Miami News, September 16, 1977, in Miami, Florida.

Jan Kroesen of Panama City complains she was hassled by six Hare Krishna devotees looking for handouts at Miami International Airport. One, she says, threw a body block to impede her movement while another grabbed her by the coat to pin a flower on her lapel. 

Richard Nalichowski of Philadelphia says one of the Krishna men at the airport gave him a "free" book but became belligerent when Nalichowski refused to give him a donation. "He blocked my way and tried to force me to give a donation," Nalichowski said. 

"Eight beggars solicited my donation at the airport on behalf of the Society of Krishna," huffed J.T. Hodges of Witom, Mass., in a signed complaint. "And they state they are authorized by the airport to solicit money.

In the last two years almost 300 travelers have gone to the trouble of calling on the fourth-floor security offices of the Aviation Department to file written complaints about being annoyed, harassed and bullied for money by Krishnas. 

"There are thousands more who wouldn't file written complaints," said Robert Diaz, who supervises security at the terminal. 

Richard Judy, director of the Aviation Department, says his men can't do much about the situation. Federal courts - in a series of opinions - have ruled the Hare Krishna and other religious groups can pass out literature and ask for money in public places. 

Monday, U.S. District Court Judge James King of Miami ordered the state Department of Transportation to leave the Hare Krishnas alone and let them solicit at turnpike rest stops. 

Florida has an elaborate solicitations law that requires solicitors to register with the state and show the money raised is for a legitimate purpose. 

King's ruling would appear to knock the stuffings out of Florida's attempts to keep fund-raising orderly. 

In the case of the Hare Krishna, Aviation Director Judy said, "they violate other people's rights to the extreme. They believe they can do anything they wish as long as it benefits Krishna. They are like the Mafia and other racketeers. They work at the fringe of our constitutional rights.

Judy said he tried to make the Krishnas solicit far enough away from the ticket counters that they would not to impede traffic flow, but security man Diaz says he can't do much when they break their agreement with his office. 

In less than an hour yesterday I was approached by five Krishna people at the airport and watched four others in action. 

The airport fund-raisers are clever. They don't wear the saffron costumes of the Krishna street dancers and their shaved heads are covered with wigs. In civies the men look like crusaders for Christ. The women look a bit frumpy. 

David St. Stevan had a flower pinned to my lapel before I could say no and we chatted amiably. He said he wanted money and I asked how much? "A million dollars," David said. I gave him back the flower and started walking away. "A penny," David said. "Can you spare a penny?" It was so ridiculous we both laughed. 

Peter Nikoloff was a bit smoother. He had me pinned with the flower in about three seconds and was promoting me for a student loan in the next breath. I asked about the location of the "International School." Peter's reply was vague. 

Gary Alseiewicz, whose Krishna name is Grahila Das, meaning unyielding servant of God, joined us and explained Krishnas wear civies at the airport because shaven heads and exotic outfits turn off would-be donors. Scowling at us while we talked was Carana Padma (Lotus Feet). He sported a pigtail and was identified as the airport solicitations boss. 

I asked Pete and Gary if they realized numerous complaints had been lodged against the airport Hare Krishnas by the traveling public, who called them beggars and worse. The two shrugged. 

But Sandra Elsey and Barbara Jacobs said the most important holy men in India were beggars. I said we weren't in India and the women gave me a spiel about Krishna Consciousness. I said some of the complainers said the money solicitors pronounce Krishna like Christian and that's why people give automatically. There was a giggle and something was said to the effect that I ought to come to temple. 

Suddenly I had an attack of seriousness. Travelers complained they were told a broad variety of lies by the Krishnas in their fund-raising efforts. And the Krishnas annoy people with luggage in hand and kids in tow trying to catch airplanes. Did the writers of the constitution really intend this to be so? 

Why can't judges do something simple like read what the public thinks about the Krishna people before giving them carte blanche to annoy and harass on turnpikes and at airports? 

Photo: Krishna Sandra Elsey fashions a flower to the shirt of airline passenger M.J. Barton of Houston, then accepts his dollar donation. 



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