ACLU sues Portsmouth over resident’s critical signs

PORTSMOUTH, R.I. (AP) — The American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island has sued Portsmouth on behalf of a resident who’s been ordered to take down signs on his property that are critical of the town.

Resident Michael DiPaola has been feuding with the town over building code enforcement and recently erected several signs about what the ACLU calls “perceived selective and corrupt code enforcement.”

The town says DiPaola violated the town’s zoning ordinance and could be fined $500 per day unless he removed the signs.

The ACLU says the town is violating DiPaola’s First Amendment rights.

The town administrator said he could not comment on ongoing litigation.

 

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