Court Dismisses Challenge To City's Refusal To Fly Christian Flag

In Shurtleff v. City of Boston, (D MA, Feb. 4. 2020), a Massachusetts federal district court dismissed a suit challenging refusal by the city of Boston to fly a Christian themed flag on a flag pole outside city hall for a Constitution Day and Citizenship Day event sponsored by plaintiffs. The court held that the city's flag display constituted government speech that is not subject to the strictures of the First Amendment.  It also held that the city's actions did not violate the Establishment Clause or Equal Protection clause. The 1st Circuit Court of Appeals last June affirmed the denial of a preliminary injunction in the case. (Full text of 1st Circuit opinion).