Thu Feb 05, 2009 at 12:42:58 PM EST
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The New Jersey Supreme court has ruled that unions may use an inflatable rat at protests. Lawrence Township had fined a union for violating a sign ordinance that banned inflatable signs, except for the all-important purpose of a grand opening. (The union had been protesting at a local health club.) The court ruled that the ordinance "violates the First Amendment right to free speech and is overbroad." The full decision is available as a PDF at the Court website. My favorite part is this:
The Lawrence Township sign ordinance is overly broad because it has almost completely foreclosed a unique and important means of communication. Non-verbal, eye-catching symbolic speech represents a form of expression designed to reach a large number of people. The Township's elimination of an entire medium of expression without a readily available alternative renders the ordinance overbroad.
This 2006 Blue Jersey photo shows "eye-catching" is the right description:
While the giant rat gives the story a good hook, this is an important decision as local officials try to shut down protests and free speech expressions, from an obscure local gym in New Jersey to the National Conventions. |
| Hopeful :: New Jersey Supreme Court upholds free speech, even if it is an inflatable rat |
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