The Forum for Equality PAC (FFE PAC), a political action committee for LGBT human rights has filed suit against Leslie Ellison, the incumbent candidate for Orleans Parish School Board for District 4. The group is filing the suit after supporters presumed to be supporters of Leslie Ellison’s re-election campaign removed legally-placed signs from public property.
According to the suit, over 120 signs throught Algiers were taken, representing a value of around $600. Forum for Equality believes that Leslie Ellison or members of her campaign encouraged or even directed supporters to remove the signs – a violation of the group’s First Amendment rights. “The theft of the FFE PAC signs constitutes n irreparable harm in that its rights to political speech have been cirtailed at the behest of and/or for the benefit of an elected official,” the suit states.
FFE PAC has requsted that a permanent injuction be issued preventing Leslie Ellison, her supporters, or her campaign from removing any signs. They have also asked that the court order that FFE signs be returned and that Ellison’s campaign pay for the loss of the stolen signs.
In addition, the suit challenges New Orleans City ordinances 134-121 and 124-122, which prohibits placing of political signage during early or absentee voting. The groups states they believe that the application and interpretation of those ordinances violate the First Amendment.
