A federal judge has ruled that a Tennessee woman cannot be fined for expressing her opinion through a yard sign, even if it contains profanity.
The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee recently sided with resident Julie Pereira in a case against the town of Lakeland. Pereira had displayed a sign in her yard that read “Fuck Em’ Both 2024,” expressing her dissatisfaction with both major party candidates for president. The town fined her for violating its prohibition on “obscene” signs, but the court ruled that this violated Pereira’s First Amendment rights.
Pereira’s lawsuit argued that her sign was a form of political expression and that the fines imposed on her were unjust. The court agreed, ordering the city to reimburse Pereira for the fines she had paid and awarding her attorneys’ fees and nominal damages.
This case highlights the importance of protecting free speech, even when it is expressed through unconventional means like yard signs. Governments must respect individuals’ rights to express their opinions, even if they are controversial or use strong language.
Pereira’s victory serves as a reminder that signs are a form of speech and that freedom of expression must be upheld, even in the most unlikely of places.
