Pro-Life Minister's Suit To Protect Protest Rights Moves Forward

As a previous posting reported, on August 31, an Illinois federal district court granted a preliminary injunction against enforcement of Granite City’s ordinance that prohibits signs larger than 8 ½ x 11 along any parade route. The suit was brought by a minister and members of his family who wanted to carry anti-abortion signs large enough for politicians marching in the parade to see. Now in Michael v. City of Granite City, 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 63638 (SD IL, Sept. 6, 2006), the court issued a decision dealing with a number of procedural issues as the case moves on. In addition to challenging the city’s sign limits, the suit also claims that police are restricting plaintiffs’ speech and free exercise rights by a policy of not protecting them against assaults by onlookers who disagree with their pro-life views. The court denied defendants’ motion to dismiss the suit on standing, inadequate pleading and immunity grounds.