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Consent Order Entered In Challenge To City's Speech Ordinance

By Howard M. Friedman

Earlier this month, a New Jersey federal district court entered a Consent Order (full text) reflecting a settlement in Wollod v. City of Wildwood, New Jersey, (D NJ, July 8, 2009). The lawsuit, brought by a Christian evangelist, challenged ordinances that restrict the distribution of literature in the beach town. (See prior posting.) Under the settlement, the city agreed to amend its ordinances so that individuals (as opposed to larger groups) will not be required to obtain a permit or pay a fee to engage in religious speech or hand out religious literature on public sidewalks, parks and boardwalks in Wildwood. It also agreed to pay plaintiff $15,500 in attorneys fees and costs and specifically stipulated that plaintiff would be permitted to engage in religious speech in public forums. Alliance Defense Fund issued a release on the case last Wednesday.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on July 20, 2009 (boomark / email).