The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania (ACLU-PA) filed a federal lawsuit challenging a Borough of Littlestown ordinance that prohibits residents from posting political signs on their own property, except for campaign signs posted 30 days before an election and 3 “working” days after an election. The ACLU filed the suit on behalf of Littlestown residents Kenneth and Virginia Frock, who took down a sign posted in their yard last June after being threatened with a $500 per day fine. The Frock’s had posted a sign that read, “We refuse to yield to ‘Gestapo’ tactics of Littlestown Borough,” which was a response to the Borough’s handling of a disputed water bill. The suit asks the court to declare the Borough’s ordinance unconstitutional so that the Frock’s can put up a sign urging the federal government to bring our troops home from Iraq. The suit alleges that the Frock’s right to express their political views on their own property cannot be limited to the election season.

Press releases

Attorney(s)

Valerie Burch, Mary Catherine Roper (ACLU of PA)

Date filed

March 12, 2008

Court

U.S. District Court, Middle District

Status

Closed