Court: Giant inflatable rat has free speech rights

[IDemo]

N.J. court rules in favor of super-sized rat used by unions for protests

AP -updated 2 hours, 35 minutes ago

TRENTON, N.J. - Even a 10-foot inflatable rat has free speech rights in New Jersey, the state's Supreme Court ruled Thursday.

In a case that pitted an International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union local against a central Jersey town, the high court ruled unanimously that the rodent is protected speech under the First Amendment.

"The township's elimination of an entire medium of expression without a readily available alternative renders the ordinance overbroad," Justice John E. Wallace Jr. wrote for the court.

The super-sized rat, sitting on its hind legs and bearing fangs, is a national symbol used by organized labor to signal a labor dispute. It had been blown up and displayed at a 2005 labor event in Lawrence Township until police enforced a law that bans banners, streamers and inflatable signs, except those announcing grand openings.

- OK, poorly written headline. The IBEW has free speech rights, the rat is a vehicle for those rights...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29034656/

[ogneopasno]

1. Damn straight! Right on!

Screw the rat contractors and their scabs!

[mike_c]

2. good....

Let the rat bastards face their effigy every day!

[LostinVA]

3. I love that rat!

[ElboRuum]

4. Another person guilty of headline marketing ploys.

Nevertheless it was a good one. K+R for the effort.

[Liberal_in_LA]

5. love it! Inflatable rat hurts no one. Our local toyota dealer puts a big inflatable gorilla on roof