February 22, 2004

By: Don French
Website: http://www.1st-in-flags.com

ACLU sues Inglewood for stopping school from displaying flags

The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California filed suit in U.S. District Court today against the City of Inglewood for prohibiting a preschool owner from flying U.S., Californian, Mexican and the African American flags in front of the preschool he owns.

The ACLU is charging that the prohibition violates the First Amendment and equal protection and due process rights guaranteed by the 14th Amendment. Sobel said that the ACLU is asking for a court order prohibiting the City from enforcing the ordinance, and will seek an immediate injunction allowing the Shorters to fly the flags.

"Apparently, in Inglewood the government thinks it has the market on patriotic values," said ACLU attorney Carol Sobel. "The flag will be flying over the U. S. Courthouse when Mr. Shorter enters, and we expect it will be flying over his school when he leaves. What better civics lesson could there be for all of his students."

The Playtime Preschool and Kindergarten has operated in the City of Inglewood for more than 30 years. Mr. Shorter, and his wife Utang, have owned the school since 1976. In Oct. 1994 they fastened color pennants to the front of the building. The city sent the Shorters written notice of Inglewood Municipal Code 12-75 which prohibits any object that is "wind driven" or "above the roof line" from being hung on a business. The ordinance excludes automobile dealerships and plant and garden merchandisers. The Shorters removed the pennants.

Also see: Flags of the World

About The Author:

Don French is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-flags.com.  The flags of the world are symbols of recognition full of beauty and color for each country.