Suffolk NYCLU > News/Press > November 29, 2006; Suffolk NYCLU Joins Lawsuit Against Village of Southampton

Suffolk NYCLU Joins Lawsuit Against Village of Southampton

Central Islip, NY -- The Suffolk County Chapter of the NYCLU has become involved in a lawsuit against the Village of Southampton, challenging the Village’s actions and policies concerning parades.

The Village had sought to prevent marchers in the 4th of July Parade from carrying signs protesting the war in Iraq. A group of local individuals and organizations went to Federal Court seeking a temporary restraining order to allow them to march and to carry signs without Village censorship. When presented with the lawsuit, the Village consented to a court order allowing the marcher to carry whatever signs they chose.

The lawsuit was filed by local attorney James S. Henry, who is now acting as a cooperating attorney for the Suffolk County Chapter, along with Chapter Legal Director, Alan Polsky. The lawsuit is still pending and the plaintiffs are seeking a permanent injunction so that this problem does not present itself at future parades.