Man Arrested for Holding Sign in Gettysburg Public Square

The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania filed a federal lawsuit in December 2006 against the Borough of Gettysburg on behalf of a man who was arrested for holding a pro-choice sign on a public sidewalk without first getting a municipal permit. Bruce K. Davis, of York, was celebrating the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision last January by holding a small sign that read "Dad for Choice" in Gettysburg's public square. The lawsuit charges that police officers with the Borough of Gettysburg violated Davis' constitutional rights by illegally arresting him in order to suppress a peaceful, political message. It also alleges that the Borough of Gettysburg's public gathering ordinance is an unconstitutional restriction on people’s free speech rights.

• Press release: ACLU Files Lawsuit on Behalf of Protester Arrested in Gettysburg (12/6/2006)