News & Public Affairs

Clearwater bait shop in court over mural listen

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Tags: ACLU, Clearwater, sign ordinance, First Amendment

A bait and tackle shop in Clearwater has been cited for violating the city’s sign ordinance because of a mural on an outside wall that depicts game fish. The owners of the Complete Angler say the mural is art and is exempted from the city’s sign ordinance, and they say it is protected under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

With legal representation from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the bait shop has filed a [complaint](http://www.a...

ACLU sues Clearwater on free speech grounds listen

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Tags: Clearwater, ACLU, free speech

The American Civil Liberties Union sued the city of Clearwater today on behalf of a local bait-and-tackle shop that has been engaged in a tussle with the city regarding a mural of game fish and a marine lift on the side of its building.

The shop, known as the Complete Angler, is on Harrison Avenue in Clearwater. After buying the store a couple of years ago, owners Heriberto and Lorraine Quinero, commissioned local artist Matt Evanson to paint a mural on the side of their store.

That’s ...