Chapin, South Carolina resident Ernest Giardino recently found himself in a legal battle with his town over his right to display a sign about his faith on a public sidewalk. After being told he needed a permit to hold his sign, Giardino sought help from First Liberty Institute (FLI) to defend his constitutional rights. FLI argued that the town’s attempt to regulate speech and suppress religious expression was unconstitutional and an arbitrary overreach.
Giardino had been peacefully displaying his signs for eight months without issue before being approached by a police officer who informed him he needed permission from the town to continue. Despite speaking with town officials, Giardino was still required to obtain a permit and was limited to 30 minutes of sign-holding on specific corners of the sidewalk.
FLI contends that Chapin’s permit scheme is an infringement on Giardino’s First Amendment rights and requested the town to respond by November 12, 2024, with written assurance that they will no longer ban his free expression in public. FLI argues that under the First Amendment, Giardino has the right to share his religious beliefs without needing government permission.
Fox News Digital reached out to Chapin town officials for comment but did not receive an immediate response. The case highlights an ongoing debate over the rights to free speech and religious expression in public spaces and the authority of local governments to regulate such activities.
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