Beginning in January 2024, the City of Lakeland, Tennessee began fining Horwitz Law, PLLC client Julie Pereira for her political yard sign reading: “Fuck ‘Em Both 2024.” In response, Ms. Pereira filed suit, asserting that the City of Lakeland’s enforcement action violated her First Amendment rights.
“The Court DECLARES UNCONSTITUTIONAL the Defendants’ enforcement action against the Plaintiff for displaying her unredacted political yard sign,” federal District Court Judge Mark Norris ruled today. “The Defendants are thus
PERMANENTLY ENJOINED from taking any further enforcement action against the Plaintiff for displaying her unredacted political yard sign.” Judge Norris’s order also approved an award of over $32,000.00 in fees for fine reimbursements and legal expenses.
“Being able to tell politicians to fuck themselves is a sacred American right,” said Daniel A. Horwitz, Ms. Pereira’s lead counsel. “We are proud to have protected Mrs. Pereira’s right to express her political views and to have achieved a successful outcome in this important First Amendment case.”
Ms. Pereira—now protected by a federal injunction—has unredacted her sign based on the federal court’s decree, a photo of which is attached. Ms. Pereira was represented by Daniel A. Horwitz and Melissa Dix, of Horwitz Law, PLLC.
Case Documents:
- Final Order and Consent Decree: https://horwitz.law/wp-content/uploads/0021.-07-09-2024-FINAL-ORDER-AND-CONSENT-DECREE.pdf
- Complaint: https://horwitz.law/wp-content/uploads/Pereira-Complaint-Exs.pdf
- Motion for Preliminary Injunction: https://horwitz.law/wp-content/uploads/13-1.pdf
Selected Media Coverage:
-Channel 5: Lakeland ordered to pay woman over $31K after fining her over political yard sign
-The Commercial Appeal: Shelby County woman wins First Amendment case for profane election sign
-New York Times: City Illegally Fined Woman Over Profane Political Yard Sign, U.S. Judge Rules
-TechDirt: Tennessee Woman Scores A Win In Free Speech Lawsuit Filed Over Her ‘Fuck ‘Em Both 2024’ Yard Sign
-Channel 13: Court orders City of Lakeland to pay woman nearly $32K after fining her for “unredacted” political yard sign
Contact: [email protected]
Daniel A. Horwitz is a First Amendment and civil rights lawyer who represents clients across Tennessee. If you are seeking First Amendment representation, you can purchase a consultation from Horwitz Law here.