ACLU-TN filed the lawsuit challenging the sign ban on behalf of Tennessee residents Allison Polidor, Erica Bowton and Maryam Abolfazli, who were forced to leave a House subcommittee meeting by state troopers for quietly holding 8 ½ x 11 inch pieces of paper expressing their opinions on issues before the subcommittee.

In its ruling, the court found that the “sign ban is patently unreasonable” and “so broad that it encompasses behavior that is not disruptive, as is the case here.” The court further found that “Plaintiffs have shown a likelihood of success on the merits of their facial First Amendment challenge to Rule 4 as it relates to banning all signs.”

Judge Blocks House Ban on Signs for Duration of Lawsuit