Pasadena couple sues city over anti-Bush, Iraq war signs

Associated Press

PASADENA, Calif. - A couple facing a fine for not removing signs critical of President Bush and the war in Iraq filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the city, claiming its ordinance banning the signs violates the First Amendment.

The suit, filed in Los Angeles federal court by Patrick Briggs and Mary Gavel-Briggs, alleges they were ordered by city zoning officials to remove a 6-foot-long banner that read, "WAR starts with W. Bush Lied. People Died." The sign faced the street in front of their Pasadena home.

The couple said they removed another sign last month that read "Support Cindy Sheehan," in reference to the mother who made national headlines protesting outside Bush's Crawford, Texas, ranch after her son was killed while serving in Iraq.

Briggs and Gavel-Briggs said they received a notice in July stating they would be fined $500 for not removing the banner.

The city's ordinance requires that signs posted outside homes be no larger than 1 square foot. Each piece of property in the city is limited to four signs. Exceptions are made for certain signs, such as "for sale" signs.

The suit seeks a court order allowing the signs, arguing that they "uniquely fulfill a core function of our democracy."

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