The ACLU is representing Herb Quintero, owner of The Complete Angler who was first fined when he put a mural showing fish on the side of the business. The city called it an unauthorized sign and fined him $700. He responded by covering it up with the banner and says that the inspectors are now threatening a $500 a day fine.
The city says that the mural is a sign not art because it shows fish and that they have no choice but to impose the heavy penalties. I am a bit skeptical. It seems that one could have viewed the mural picture in the link below as art, which remains in the eye of the beholder. What seems even more clear is that posting the First Amendment is not a sign for commercial purposes. Indeed, half of the courthouses in the country have such displays.
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