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A Tennessee woman who was fined hundreds of dollars for an eyebrow-raising political yard sign filed a First Amendment lawsuit against her city and won nearly $32,000.
Earlier this year, Julie Pereira put up a sign in front of her front door that read, “Fuck Both 2024.” But it wasn’t long before neighbors complained and law enforcement officials in the Memphis suburb of Lakeland fined Pereira for violating a city law banning obscene signs.
She temporarily censored the sign, Sued Last month, lawyers for both sides said on Wednesday settlement The court found the city’s actions unconstitutional and awarded Pereira $31,000 in legal fees, plus several hundred more in damages and costs.
“The right to tell politicians to fuck off is a sacred American right,” Daniel A. Horowitz, one of Pereira’s lawyers, said in an email to Business Insider. “We are proud to have protected Mr. Pereira’s right to express his political opinion and to have secured a victory in this important First Amendment case.”
Pereira said in her lawsuit that she was unhappy with both President Joe Biden and Donald Trump, the two leading candidates in November’s presidential election, but this isn’t the first time her campaign posters have angered city officials. ABC24 reported in May. Pereira sued the city and won after the city fined him for Christmas decorations that used foul language, a reference to the 1989 comedy film “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.”
When she initially challenged the violation over her “Fuck ‘Em Both” sign, the judge said it wasn’t clear whether “both” referred to Biden and Trump. Transcript Code enforcement officials said at least 10 neighbors had complained, including some who said they would never have bought a home in the area if Pereira’s sign had been up.
The judge also noted Pereira’s previous run-ins with the city, which could mean he faces prison time.
“I’m warning you, I don’t want you here again,” the judge said.
“Your Honor, I do not want to see the City of Lakeland continue to violate my First Amendment rights,” Pereira responded.
City officials did not respond to an email sent on July 4, a U.S. holiday.