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Man's yard full of signs upsets neighbors

THE FIRST AMENDMENT GIVES EVERYONE IN AMERICA, INCLUDING DONALD TRUMP, YOU, AND ME; THE RIGHT TO SAY WHAT IS ON OUR MINDS, EVEN IF OTHERS MIGHT DISAGREE WITH US. IT’S CALLED FREEDOM OF SPEECH. BUT IN SOME CASES IT’S HARD TO SAY HOW FAR THAT RIGHT GOES WHEN OTHERS WANT PEACE AND QUIET. 

NEIGHBORS IN HAVERHILL, MASSACHUSETTS ARE DEALING WITH THIS EXACT SITUATION. A MAN THERE HAS POSTED MORE TRUMP FOR PRESIDENT SIGNS IN HIS YARD THAN HIS CITY’S LAWS ALLOW. SOME SAY IT’S A NUISANCE, OTHERS SAY IT’S HIS RIGHT. PAUL BURTON HAS THE STORY. 

ON SATURDAY MORNING IN HAVERHILL RESIDENTS RALLIED BEHINID HOMEOWNER RICK EARLY WHO HAS PUT UP MORE DONALD TRUMP SIGNS THAN THE CITY ALLOWS....BUT EARLY ALONG WITH MANY FRIENDS ARE STANDING GROUND.....

(Ricky Early- Home Owner) "just a show of support a lot of people want to support what we are doing and don't like what the city is doing" (MOS) 'This is an event to support Ricky and his 1st amendment rights to support any candidate he wants to."

THE CITY HAS AN ORDINANCE PROHIBITING POLITICAL SIGNS THAT TOTAL MORE THAN 32 SQUARE FEET OF SPACE. EARLY'S SIGNS ADD UP TO OVER 300 SQUARE FEET.

(Dick Osborne-city building inspector) "Way in access thats allowed. And that's all he's been cited for is that he's over the singage amount by the city ordance." 'TRUMP Save AMerica"

(PAUL BURTON STAND UP) POLICE SAY MR. EARLY HAS A RIGHT TO ASSEMBLE IN FRONT OF HIS LAWN. ALTHOUGH MANY OF THE SUPPORTERS ARE NOT HERE FOR TRUMP BUT TO SUPPORT HIS FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS BUT MANY NEIGHBORS ARE NOT HAPPY ABOUT THIS RALLY."

"I'm upset by the disturbance in the neighborhood." (MOS) "they've been honking like this since 8 am." (MOS) "We are neighbors and we dont approve but are polite and we dont want to rock the boat,"

(Paul Fitzmeyer- Neighbor) "I am not decided yet but he's been pushed around but I think its free speech. I am not here for Trump but I am here in support of his signs,"

EARLY PUT UP THE SIGNS IN JANUARY AND HE HASN'T ENCOUNTERED ANY PROBLEMS. SATURDAY, HE EXPERENCED BOTH SUPPORT .... BUT NO MATTER WHAT EARLY WILL STAND HIS GROUND FOR HIS CANDIDATE....

(Ricky Early- Home Owner) "He speaks to the average voter. He's not your average politician he's a business man and I think thats what we need in the White House."

RICK SAYS HE HAS NOT FACED ANY FINES YET BUT IF HE DOES HE SAYS HE WILL TAKE LEGAL ACTION 

FAMOUS SUPREME COURT JUSTICE OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES MADE A METAPHOR ABOUT SIMILAR SITUATIONS. HE SAID “THE RIGHT TO SWING MY FIST ENDS WHERE THE OTHER MAN’S NOSE BEGINS.”

Instructional Links

Lesson Plan: The First Amendment in Public Schools, Lesson: Freedom to Assemble and to Petition

http://archive.adl.org/education/curriculum_connections/spring_2007/lesson%204.pdf

Website Article: Ducksters, First Amendment

http://www.ducksters.com/history/us_government/first_amendment.php

PDF: American Library Association, Kids, Know Your Rights!

http://www.ala.org/alsc/sites/ala.org.alsc/files/content/issuesadv/intellectualfreedom/kidsknowyourrights.pdf

Website Article & Activity Sheet: SCORE, Amendment 1

http://score.rims.k12.ca.us/score_lessons/bill_of_rights/media/press.htm

Website Article: Newseum Institute, First Amendment FAQs

http://www.newseuminstitute.org/first-amendment-center/first-amendment-faq/

Lesson Plan: The First Amendment in Public Schools, Lesson: Freedom to Assemble and to Petition 

http://www.classroomlaw.org/files/YS_Lessons_2011/L3a_What_is_Free_Speech.pdf