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Charleston tour guides say city is muzzling their first amendment rights WCBD News 2 The Institute, a libertarian non-profit based in Arlington, Va., has already won similar lawsuits dealing with the First Amendment in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and Charleston. The judge in this case will issue his decision in the coming weeks, but ... and more »

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Charleston tour guides say city is muzzling their first amendment rights - WCBD News 2

by: Mark Boxley Updated: Apr 6, 2017 - 8:46 PM

ORANGE PARK, Fla. - The owner of a video game store in Orange Park has filed a federal lawsuit against the town over a 9-foot inflatable Mario that officials say is a sign code violation.

Mario, the iconic Nintendo character, has caused a visible increase in foot traffic and even became a local attraction, Gone Broke Gaming owner Scott Fisher said in the suit.

Fisher opened his store in 2015 on Kingsley Avenue in Orange Park, a suburb of Jacksonville.

After getting the OK from his landlord and neighboring businesses, Fisher decided to put up the towering inflatable Mario character in July.

The impact on his business was immediate, he said.

People who came in often commented to Scott that they never knew the store was there until they saw Mario, the lawsuit said. Others said that Mario made it much easier to find Gone Broke Gamings small storefront on the otherwise busy road.

By the end of the month, though, an Orange Park Code Enforcement officer issued a notice of code violation, saying the inflatable display was an illegal portable sign.

If he left the Mario in front of the store, Fisher could have faced fines of up to $250 a day.

Fisher pointed out in his lawsuit that the towns sign code allowed inflatable displays, specifically if it constitutes a creative idea that lacks a commercial message.

Under (the creative idea) category, a business could display the same exact inflatable Mario that Gone Broke Gaming was displaying, so long as that business was not selling Mario-related products, the lawsuit said.

Fisher claims the towns prohibition of the inflatable Mario under its sign code constitutes discrimination and a violation of his First Amendment right to free speech.

The lawsuit is seeking the court to declare the Orange Park sign code unconstitutional, a permanent injunction prohibiting the town from taking enforcement action against the store for displaying the Mario, attorneys fees and $1 for the violation of Fishers constitutional rights.

As of Thursday, Orange Park leaders had not filed a response to Fishers lawsuit.

2017 Cox Media Group.

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Florida video game shop owner claims First Amendment violation over town's inflatable Mario ban - WFTV Orlando

'Chicago Fire' Teaches Petulant Teen First Amendment Rights in ... NewsBusters (blog) Chicago firefighter Christopher Herrmann (David Eigenberg) is shocked to learn that his son is suspended from school for refusing to recite the Pledge of ... and more »

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'Chicago Fire' Teaches Petulant Teen First Amendment Rights in ... - NewsBusters (blog)

We just came back from a trip to the East Coast. While on the plane we got into a discussion with several college students returning from spring break. The subject came up that as Christian Conservatives they are being silenced on their thoughts and beliefs by liberal students and professors. They are afraid to speak up for fear of being harassed and failing a class because the professor bashes President Trump and conservative values. These liberal professors are exceeding their authority and the administration is condoning it. What happened to the First Amendment right to speak what one believes is the truth? Why are these professors getting away with forcing their political views and religious beliefs on students? When I was in college it was to teach students to think for themselves, examine the evidence and exchange ideas without fear of being put down or a professor failing you because you disagreed. The Left wants tolerance, so they say, until you dont believe the way they do and then they become bullies and intolerant. There is a saying, Why do you see the speck in your brothers eye, and not the log in your own? I would say this describes the liberals who cant see beyond their own small minds. I have also talked to many college students in Missoula and the same thing is happening there. The students First Amendment rights have been taken away! If you have a child there you should find who these professors are and complain to the college. This must stop! Everyone has a right to believe what they want without fear! If this does not stop soon you will see a communistic state where everyone lives in fear and cant express their beliefs. Dee Gibney Hamilton

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What happened to 1st Amendment? - Bitterroot Star

ACLU Launches Multilingual Ad Campaign in Defense of First Amendment Common Dreams The campaign kicked off with the unveiling of electronic billboards featuring the First Amendment in Arabic, English, and Spanish in New York's Times Square and at bus stops in Washington, D.C. The First Amendment in all three languages will also be ...

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ACLU Launches Multilingual Ad Campaign in Defense of First Amendment - Common Dreams