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A businessman cited for displaying a gospel message on his own property is suing the town of Gouverneur, New York, accusing it of violating the U.S. Constitution's protection of free speech and private property rights.Daniel Burritt placed the evangelistic message on a trailer located on his commercial property adjacent to U.S. Route 11, and was issued a criminal citation for violating a local ordinance that allegedly requires a permit to display such a message.Matt Bowman of Alliance Defense Fund, assisting attorney on the case, says the citation proves a double standard, because no action has been taken against businesses in the area for displaying commercial messages on private property. He considers the permit ordinance illegal because it discriminates between types of speech."This town says it requires permits, but its permit scheme says that it can ban signs that are 'offensive,'" Bowman explains. "The fact is that the First Amendment does not allow a town to ban messages or religious messages just because someone considers it offensive."Bowman says the U.S. Supreme Court gives special protection to speech on private property, and prioritizes religious speech ahead of commercial speech. "This town has turned the First Amendment on its head, treating religious speech as having second-class status," he argues.Burritt appeared in court December 13 to plead not guilty to the charge. His next court date is in May 2008. Bowman says Burritt wants the charges dropped voluntarily but is willing to go to trial to defend his right to share the gospel.As in the days of Noah....
