The question was whether the city has, or should have, rules preventing overt political displays on its municipal beaches. The answer members of the council seemed comfortable with was no, the city should not get involved in regulating political speech on its beaches.
Whether a Black Lives Matter poster, a Donald Trump flag, a Joe Biden pin, or a MAGA (Make America Great Again) hat, political expressions are protected by the First Amendment, City Attorney Frank Corrado told the council.
Corrado also explained that trying to place reasonable restrictions on political speech in an area that is not a public forum opens the city to an enforcement nightmare. “The attempt to cure can be worse than the disease,” he said.
Political Flags OK on Beaches
By Vince Conti
September 3, 2020 • UPDATED 5/15/23
CAPE MAY – Cape May City Council grappled with some citizen complaints Sept. 1 about a large ‘Trump 2020’ flag hoisted by a beach-going supporter of the president.
The question was whether the city has, or should have, rules preventing overt political displays on its municipal beaches. The answer members of the council seemed comfortable with was no, the city should not get involved in regulating political speech on its beaches.
Whether a Black Lives Matter poster, a Donald Trump flag, a Joe Biden pin, or a MAGA (Make America Great Again) hat, political expressions are protected by the First Amendment, City Attorney Frank Corrado told the council.
Corrado also explained that trying to place reasonable restrictions on political speech in an area that is not a public forum opens the city to an enforcement nightmare. “The attempt to cure can be worse than the disease,” he said.
Spout Off
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
Read More
Cape May Beach – You will NEVER convince me in a ga-zillion years that our pres elect can find the time to put out half one texts accredited to him!
Read More
Cape May – The one alarming thing that came out of the hearing on the recent drone activity in our skies was the push for "more laws governing the operation of drones". While I am not against new…
Read More
Most Read
30 Days After the Election, Bashaw Reflects on Campaign - and His Future
Christopher South'It's a Long Time Coming'
Christopher SouthStone Harbor Should Accept NJ’s Affordable Housing Number: Parada
Vince ContiSpecter of Water Permits Rises Again in Stone Harbor
Vince ContiCape May Desalination Plant Plans Advancing
Vince ContiPrint Editions
Recommended Articles