Wisconsin Town Can Ban Signs On Interstate Overpass, Judge Rules

A federal judge has ruled that a town ordinance in western Wisconsin barring banners from a highway overpass is constitutional.

The lawsuit was brought by a tea party group who regularly hung a banner calling for President Barack Obama’s impeachment from a footbridge above Interstate 90 in the Town of Campbell, near La Crosse. The town banned displays from the footbridge, citing concerns about distracted drivers, but the protests continued. After citations were issued, group members sued for infringing free speech.

U.S. District Judge William Conley ruled June 16 that the ordinance is constitutional. Conley found the ban is content-neutral, is narrowly crafted to serve the government’s interest in traffic safety and doesn’t prohibit protesters from using other means to reach people.

Attorney Brent Smith said the ruling was the right decision.

“We always felt that the town had the ability to enact such an ordinance. There was a reason for doing it — public safety — and we’re just glad that that’s the decision the federal court made,” he said.

An attorney for the plaintiffs says they will appeal the judge’s decision.

Editor’s Note: This article was originally an Associated Press story. It has since been updated with reporting by Wisconsin Public Radio.