Former marine who was ordered to take down 8ft 'F**k the government' sign on his Pennsylvania property sues zoning officer and borough for violating his free speech

A former marine who was ordered to take down an eight-foot 'F**k the government' sign on his Pennsylvania property has sued the zoning officer and borough for violating his free speech rights. 

A first amendment battle unfolded as residents of Olyphant Borough, Pennsylvania, challenge the borough sign ordinance against the massive billboard situated on the front porch of their home. 

The Bliler family is taking legal action against what they perceive as an 'unconstitutional infringement' on their First Amendment rights.

The lawsuit, exclusively obtained by Dailymail.com, alleges that the borough's sign ordinance violates the residents' freedom of speech by imposing restrictions on the content, size, and permitting process for signs displayed on private property.

Plaintiffs Dave, Chelsea, and Paige Bliler brought the case against the Olyphant Borough, Pennsylvania and William Shigo, the Borough’s Zoning Officer. 

A first amendment battle unfolded as residents of Olyphant Borough, Pennsylvania, challenge the borough sign ordinance against the monstrosity situated on the front porch of their home that reads 'F*** THE GOVERNMENT' in bold red font

'Peacefully expressing political speech through signs on one’s own property is a central liberty protected by the First Amendment,' the lawsuit alleged. 

'The right to display opinions on matters of public concern has long been vital to the concept of American identity and trumps all but the most important government interests. Attempts to regulate such speech carry a heavy presumption of invalidity.' 

The lawsuit is in response to an enforcement letter, alleging a violation of the sign ordinance, threatening a $500 fine, and mandating a permitting process by the borough. 

The Blilers opted to remove the sign to avoid penalties but now fear expressing similar views due to potential liability under the ordinance.

The lawsuit claims that the borough's sign ordinance places heavy limitations on residents' ability to express political, ideological, or religious views on their properties. 

'The Borough’s sign ordinance tramples this liberty,' it writes. 'It limits most residential property owners to just one sign that is no larger than six square feet.'

'Whether the sign is for ideological causes, political campaigns, or religious faith, almost all signs are subject to this restriction.'

According to the complaint, the ordinance imposes a one-sign limit, not exceeding six square feet, subject to a content-reviewing permitting process. 

But the borough has reportedly exempted itself from these regulations, allowing unlimited government signs without the need for permits.  

The Blilers seek injunctive relief, declaring the ordinance unconstitutional both in general and as applied to their sign. 

The lawsuit requests nominal and compensatory damages, as well as attorney fees and costs. 

The ultimate goal is to challenge what the Blilers perceive as an infringement on their fundamental constitutional rights.

In 2021, A New Jersey woman has won an appeal to keep her 'F**k Biden' banner just over a week after a local judge ordered her to remove them or face a $250-a-day fine.

Andrea Dick, 54, hung 10 pro-Trump signs on her Roselle Park home, where she lives with her mom, that included the former president extending two middle fingers over the words 'F**k Biden'.

Municipal Court Judge Gary Bundy ordered Dick to take down three of the 10 signs or face a daily fine of $250 because they violated local public obscenity laws.

But Judge Bundy's ruling was vacated by the state's Supreme Court on Tuesday after the ACLU got involved and warned that Bundy's edict violated Dick's First Amendment right to freedom of speech.

The civil liberties organization challenged the original ruling, with New Jersey's Supreme Court agreeing.