Are political signs free speech?
Submitted by stacks on Tue, 06/19/2012 - 20:44My apartment complex is making me remove my Ron Paul sign from the inside of my window. Is this a violation of free speech? If not, I feel like it should be.
I'll be fully reading my lease agreement and rules on signs shortly to determine if there is some slick way that I can move it.
Regardless, I won't be renewing my lease here.
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New Information - Please Read
I live in Nevada and just found this piece of legislation:
http://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/NRS-116B.html#NRS116BSec715
If I'm reading this correctly, does NRS 116B.710 and NRS 116B.715 allow me to post a political sign and american flag in my window? It says condominium and I live in an apartment though (if that makes any difference).
UPDATE: http://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/NRS-118A.html#NRS118ASec325
I can display a flag! :) Not as good as Ron Paul but oh well.
Google Search It
I could not find the nifty guide from the ACLU on this issue (I lost the bookmark). I think this issue varies by state, to some degree, as obviously, apartment buildings owned by private parties are private property. Your landlord has rights, too.
"Congress shall make no law," does not apply to owners of property unless they are elected to Congress!
What do you think? http://consequeries.com/
Free speech means
you have a right to express your opinion without, say, being thrown into prison for WHAT you have said - such as could happen in East Germany, for one, just for telling a joke that was critical of the government. It doesn't mean, however, that you are guaranteed a platform from which to express to your views. I imagine that the property owner might have a legal right over what can be displayed publicly; I think the property owner should. But I think the Golden Rule might apply. I know that I wouldn't want to come home every day and have to read the name OBAMA in a neighbor's window.
1st Amendment Protection for Political Signs
The U.S. Supreme Court has held that political signs posted on your own property is a political speech protected under the 1st amendment. Generally, no one can make you take down a political speech yard sign. However, local ordinances can still regulate to a degree; such as:size, location, and safety issues of signs. Political speech enjoys heightened constitutional protection.
Most likely, you have contracted away your "right" to post signs, of any kind. Most leases have standard language prohibiting signs. I would be very surprised if your lease would allow you to do so. In college, my lease stated I could not display any signs, or have anything other than white curtains covering my windows.
Here is a helpful link with case law on point to your issue.
http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/political-yard-signs
Political signs ARE free speech,
you are expressing your opinions in writing. But, the property also has the right to conditions of residence. I once was told I had to get rid of my motorcycle when the landlord found out I had one, because it would invite the wrong crowd. Go figure.
It's not free speach
If the only problem you have with your apartment is they don't want you to put up a campaign sign, keep your apartment.
Some places will not let you put on a political bumper sticker.
It has come to the point where many places feel that campaign signs start problems, and people who live there have a right to not look at your sign.
Are there rules that say you can't pin a campaign button on the curtains? How about a bumper sticker clipped to the blinds is such a way, it's not meant for the public to see.. but if they look hard enough... you need to become creative, and have fun, smile allot and when =management says, STOP, SMILE back and say OK.
And then find a new way.
It would make a good book.. "What sign? 101 ways to say Ron Paul".
STAND WITH RAND 2016
What's "speach"?
a backwards plural piece of fruit?
That positive attitude is a
That positive attitude is a good thing to have. Unfortunately, things like this really tick me off...especially since they won't tell me the motive behind it. For all I know, the manager doesn't like Ron Paul.
Truth is
Allot of people think Ron Paul = marijuana and it's not that they don't like Ron paul or marijuana, they don't want the trrouble that comes with marijuana.
Still, if you like your apartment, kept it. Better to stay in a frying pan then go into a fire or find yourself homeless.
STAND WITH RAND 2016
Property Rights
If you are on your own property and did not voluntarily sign into an agreement not to display signs when you purchased/rented the property, then you are within your rights to display the sign.
But if you are on someone else's property, or you entered into a contract excluding signs from being displayed, then the other party is within their rights.
Check out the Laissez-Faire Journal at LFJournal.com
"The State is a gang of thieves writ large." - Murray Rothbard
Well, I was asking whether
Well, I was asking whether signs are covered under free speech - not about property rights. Property rights cannot violate the constitution is my understanding.
I don't think they're saying
I don't think they're saying you can't do it (eg, they won't forcefully stop you). I think they're saying if you do z we will do x, each action being legal as an individual and a property owner with an individual on their property, and each party has acknowledged and agreed to the action/consequence sequence ahead of time (by way of signing the lease).
Check the lease.
Put it
In your car window then.... ;)
Already have one on it; I
Already have one on it; I guess it could use another :)