A federal court has ruled that a Pennsylvania community’s ban on displaying the American flag with a thin blue line in support of law enforcement is unconstitutional.
The municipality of Springfield, about 15 miles from Philadelphia, argued that the use of the flag was creating “discontent and distrust” in the community against the police.
However, U.S. District Judge Karen Marston ruled that the ban restricts public employees’ free speech under the First Amendment.
“The municipality repeatedly suggests that the ‘Thin Blue Line’ American flag has limited, if any, public value or concern because it is ‘offensive’ and ‘racist,’” Marston wrote in the court opinion. “But as this Court previously told the Township, ‘the First Amendment protects speech even when it is deemed ‘offensive.'”
Marston said the fact that the municipality called the flag by various names bordered on unprofessional.
He admitted that it was “undeniable that the flag has racist undertones for certain members of the community.”
Wally Zimolong, a lawyer representing the police officers, said the court’s ruling was a vindication of his clients’ claims.
“It was a resounding victory for the First Amendment and free speech,” he said. “He demonstrated once again that the government cannot discriminate views based on a message it disagrees with or finds offensive.”
A federal court ruled that a Pennsylvania municipality cannot prohibit the public display of an American flag with a thin blue line.AP
Tensions over the flag began when the city’s police union voted in 2021 to incorporate the flag into its logo. Several township commissioners opposed the measure because the flag had become associated with Blue Lives Matter, which has been used by police supporters in response to Black Lives Matter.
The union voted to reject a request from commissioners to change it, even though the township offered to pay up to $10,000 to change it. Last year, the township attorney sent a cease-and-desist letter to the union.
The letter said the use of the flag in the union’s logo “unnecessarily exacerbates the ongoing conflict between police officers and the communities they serve,” and ordered the union to stop using the flag or remove Springfield Township from its name.
After the union refused to remove the flag or change its name, commissioners adopted a policy prohibiting township employees, agents or consultants from displaying the flag while on duty or representing the township.
Fox News Digital has contacted the township commissioners.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn