Posted on 03/04/2003 1:05:32 PM PST by freepatriot32
Jefferson Area Libertarians in Virginia "rallied around the flag" for a local businessman who was dragged into court for flying a company flag.
On February 22, about three dozen Libertarians and other activists held a demonstration of support for Tom Dulaney Slonaker, owner of an Arby's restaurant on Route 29 in Charlottesville.
In freezing rain, participants waved miniature American flags "to show their support of Mr. Slonaker's constitutional rights," said J.A.L. member John Munchmeyer, who helped coordinate the event.
In December, Slonaker was fined almost $4,000 by the Albemarle County government for flying an Arby's flag from his flagpole and for parking a vehicle that displayed an advertisement.
According to county zoning laws, flags are a type of "prohibited sign," and constitute "a public nuisance detrimental to the health, safety, convenience and general welfare of the public."
"Albemarle County officials should be ashamed of themselves," said Munchmeyer. "When you take control of a person's property, you control the person. The situation shows just how far we have allowed the heavy hand of government to get out of control.
"This is America, and we need to be much less concerned with a couple of ugly signs than with government officials going around harassing people, abusing business owners, and violating the Bill of Rights."
John W. Whitehead, president the Virginia-based Rutherford Institute, a nonprofit civil-liberties organization that had offered to file a constitutional lawsuit for Slonaker, agreed that important issues were at stake in the case.
"The right of Tom Slonaker to fly a banner in front of his business, the right to conduct yourself on your own property without unreasonable governmental interference ... these are not small matters," he said.
In the face of growing criticism, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors said in mid February that it would review the zoning ordinance. Slonaker's fine was dismissed, pending the outcome of the review, which could take several months.
"The fact that Albemarle County officials are now reviewing their banner regulation is a much-needed step," said Whitehead. "However, it would not have happened if Tom Slonaker had not decided that it was time to challenge his government."
Speaking at the rally, past LP national chair and current J.A.L. secretary Jim Lark said Slonaker was a "hero" for fighting the unjust law.
"It is so easy for people in his position, when faced with the big stick of government, to seek a private peace," he said. "It takes heroes to step up to the plate in this situation. And Tom, you are one."
</sarcasm>
WTF???
Can anyone here in their wildest imagination explain exactly how a flag might constitute "a public nuisance detrimental to the health, safety, convenience and general welfare of the public."?
Example: "My eyes! My eyes! Oh, woe is me! If only I hadn't seen that horrid flag, I could still see, and my four crippled children wouldn't be starving in the street..."
The county's justification for their zoning law is the government equivalent of "Because mommy said so".
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