Its content-neutral nature did not save Fort Myers Beach ordinance from an 11th Circuit Court of Appeals decision that the law violated freedom of speech. A street preacher sued the town after he was fined for displaying signs with religious messages. The court found the ordinance too restrictive in eliminating a traditional American practice. (Courthouse News Service, June 28, 2022, by Megan Butler)
The court noted, “a Fort Myers Beach resident may not hold a sign by hand, he may not put a sign in the ground if it is taller than 18 inches, he may not display his sign on his car, and he cannot place any signs in a public place. Short of a bullhorn and running his voice hoarse, our Fort Myers Beach resident has precious few, if any, alternative channels of communication.” (Florida Phoenix, June 29, 2022, by Michael Moline)