NEW ORLEANS – Today the ACLU of Louisiana sent an open letter urging the City of Kenner to cease enforcement of its ordinance which prohibits the display of political signs on private property except for the period sixty (60) days before and ten (10) days after an election. The ordinance also places further restriction on the content of such signs.
In the letter, Executive Director Marjorie R. Esman writes, “While municipalities have considerable authority to regulate the display of signs on public property, banning political signs on private property is a violation of the First Amendment rights of private individuals. The Supreme Court has indicated in no uncertain terms that these forms of speech are protected under the First Amendment and may not be restricted.”
