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Posted at 1:30 p.m. on August 6, 2021
The Brillion News
MEQUON – The City of Mequon has been warned to stop using its sign ordinance against a group seeking to recall school board members or face a lawsuit.
The warning was delivered on Friday, August 6, in a letter to the mayor and city administration from the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL).
Daniel Lennington, deputy counsel with WILL, wrote to the city on behalf of Amber Schroeder, say he was retained “to resolve a dispute with the City of Mequon over a political sign bearing the message: ‘RecallMTSD.com.’”
“The City’s sign ordinance, and its attempts to enforce that ordinance, violate our client’s First Amendment rights,” Lennington wrote. “We are asking you to cease and desist this unconstitutional enforcement.”
The letter to the city said Mequon police have told Schroeder on four occasions to take the signs down.
The WILL letter said the city’s ordinance allows only signs that the city approves, based solely on the content of the sign.
The letter warns the city to stop enforcing the ordinance and to state in writing that Schroeder will be allowed to display her sign “without fear of prosecution.” If that isn’t done by 10 a.m. on Monday, August 9, Lennington promised a lawsuit seeking a court order striking down the use of the ordinance and damages – including attorney fees.
WILL also filed a public records request for all city personnel from May 1 onward regarding the recall, signs or banners, and enforcement of the Mequon sign ordinance.