Feds prevent city from sanctioning Biden-Trump sign

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A federal judge has ruled that a Tennessee woman has the constitutional right to post a yard sign with profane language condemning both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.

Julie Pereira put a sign in her front yard that read “F―- ‘Em Both 2024” — except uncensored. The city of Lakeland, a northeastern suburb of Memphis, subsequently fined Pereira hundreds of dollars for violating regulations against obscene content on signs.

She filed a lawsuit in June, saying she was so dissatisfied with both presidential candidates that she wanted a sign that “simply and convincingly speaks for itself.”

U.S. District Judge Mark Norris in Memphis ruled Tuesday that Pereira’s political sign is not obscene and that the city cannot lawfully regulate people’s views.

“We are proud to have protected Ms. Pereira’s right to express her political views and to have achieved a successful outcome in this important First Amendment case,” said Daniel Horwitz, Pereira’s lead attorney.

The judge’s order comes after the city agreed to a settlement that will pay Pereira about $32,000 for her legal fees and reimburse nearly $700 in fines.

The city’s regulations prohibit signs containing “statements of an obscene, indecent or immoral character that would offend public morals or decency” and “statements, words or images of an obscene nature.”

Initially, Pereira censored her sign, as local officials demanded, by hiding one letter in the profane word, but within a week she removed the redaction. The city started fining her in January, so she hid part of the judgment again to avoid further penalties, the lawsuit said.

Pereira’s lawsuit said “swear words” are not constitutionally obscene. The lawsuit — and the judge — pointed to a 1971 Supreme Court decision that overturned the conviction of a California man who entered a courthouse wearing a jacket with a message against the design that contained profanity.