I can’t think of a more obvious first amendment violation than this town’s law.
The downside of being a trumpista comes home to NJ. But he won’t be fined that much, maybe nothing, just a warning or something, but 30 days before the elections, watch what his lawn sprouts.
He called the cops when his flags were stolen, and they gave him a ticket.
Well, it wasn’t for his “freedom of expression” because he wasn’t expressing anything at that moment–his flags were gone.
On the other hand, he wasn’t violating the town flag regulations–his flags were gone.
Trump is currently a public nuisance in New Jersey. LOL
Joseph Hornick has small hands.
On the one hand, you’re right.
On the other hand, though, ordinances like this help reduce clutter (most ordinances also require that flags be removed within x days after an election). Also – let’s face it – as a practical matter, not seeing campaign signs for months on end probably helps keep peace in the neighborhood (do you want daily reminders that your neighbor on the left is a Republican asshole, that the neighbor on the right is a raging homophobe, and that the guy across the street hates everybody but his own brand of xtians?).
Even A1 is subject to time and place regulations; don’t shout “fire” in a theater (unless there really is a fire, of course; no one ever mentions that). And even highly protected political speech can have reasonable regulations on the timing and placement of signs.
“I feel my constitutional right has been violated. I have the right to express myself.”
But being forced to see Trump flags violates my “sincerely held religious beliefs”.
So, “Religious Freedom”.
I win.
Especially painful because flying the black flag of Isis only sets you back $1000 in that town.
If you limit a town’s ability to set zoning for the best interests of their community, it’s only matter of time before they start letting everyone vote.
Honestly, I’m torn on this one. The guy has a point, an outright ban on flags/signs is a restriction on free speech. That said, a limit on the size of flags might be ok… And its settled law that you can require them to be removed after the election.
What’s so unfair about this is Donald Trump saw thousands of people gathered to cheer this guy’s flags.
Absolutely. This guy totally should be allowed to display whatever political sign on his lawn that he wants to.
I don’t support that. But the 1st Amendment does.
This is totally confusing. Have you ever been involved in politics? Most elections you DO have competing yard signs. As they say, “signs don’t vote” but you sure try to get them put out. And, yes, the guy on the corner in my street is a total conservative. Hey, in America, that is allowed, and you can put up a sign.
Cities have wide latitude to regulate both commercial and personal signage. If all that was required to sidestep regulations was a claim of free speech infringement local zoning laws would be rendered moot.
I think this is a content based restriction on free speech. It is not a reasonable “time, place, and manner” restriction as the law only purports to ban political speech. It’s been a while, but I think these restrictions have to be narrowly tailored to regulate an important interest. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the ACLU take this ordinance on.
That’s a really dumb law. Running up to the polling place with your flag in tow I can understand, but a sign or a flag on your own property is what electioneering and 1st Amendment rights are all about. As much as I hate Donnie Dump, I think this local ordinance is absurd, if not unconstitutional. Reminds me of some privately owned condos or retirement villages that have rules regarding political signage that seems to supersede state or federal law. They shouldn’t be allowed to get away with that either.
Since it’s not a federal law, it’s a good law. Right? That’s how this works?
Putting aside the fact that he was flying a Trump flag (and that begs the question: why does Trump have flags in the first place?), this fellow would probably win a court case: see here, here and here.
Time for some traffic problems in West Long Branch.