Sunday, July 06, 2008

Pagan symbols can stay if permit bought | DesMoinesRegister.com | The Des Moines Register

Pagan symbols can stay if permit bought The Des Moines Register: "A decision that allows hand-painted religious symbols on a Des Moines couple's privacy fence has opened a debate at City Hall over the definition of graffiti. Inspectors in May ordered Ryle and Rachel MacPebbles to remove pagan and Celtic symbols from the fence after a neighbor complained. The couple appealed on religious freedom grounds, and city officials this week decided the handiwork can stay if the couple buys a $35 sign permit."
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The issue is whether this is graffiti, which is prohibited, or a religious sign, which is protected by the First Amendment and allowed as long as you get a sign permit. The city is going at this case-by-case. Seems like a good approach. I like it when people use common sense instead of acting like petty dictators.

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