Local suppression of free speech is no game

For as long as I can remember, political signs have been a staple during the campaign season.  And, historically, both parties and candidates have respected the First Amendment rights of one another to support their candidates by displaying campaign signs. These are often displayed in citizens’ yards, on their private property or on public land where allowed. Although, some neighborhoods, such as ours, have a covenant that prohibits yard signs. We were made immediately aware of this fact after putting two Biden-Harris signs and Gov. Inslee signs in our yard, on our property. We checked the covenants and sure enough, there it was in black and white, “No yard signs except For Sale or For Rent signs.”  So, no problem, we were wrong, and we removed the signs. We’re not rule breakers or troublemakers, but we do feel that we have a right to exercise our First Amendment, so we put up a Biden-Harris flag below the National Colors, which we have proudly flown for 22 years.

We had also gotten campaign signs supporting Inslee and Biden to put at the area where the Almira Highway and SR174 intersect. There were already several Republican candidates’ signs displayed in that area. I called the City of Grand Coulee and talked to the City Clerk to see if I needed a permit or some authorization from the city, as I thought that was city property. She assured me that I could place my signs there, as long as they were not in the park area, and thanked me for checking as no one else had called to get permission. So we added our signs to the several Republican signs already displayed.

Our signs were there for two days before they were stolen.

I called the city again, and talked to the city clerk, to see if they had removed them for some reason. Maybe we had put them in the wrong area, although, I doubted that, as they were right by the other signs. She assured me that the city had not removed our signs. Fortunately, we had more signs, so we replaced them, only to have them stolen after one day! We replaced that sign, now for the third time, and it was stolen within hours of being put up.

So now that begs the question: how many other Democratic candidate signs have been stolen? And are some Republicans OK with denying me, and other Democrats, our right to practice the First Amendment? In Grand Coulee, do only Republicans have the right of Freedom of Speech? Removing these signs is not a game, it’s an infringement on citizens’ First Amendment, and it should be seen as a serious matter, not taken lightly. Traditionally, campaign signs have been a big part of elections. Displaying signs, flags, banners, and bumper stickers, supporting our candidates, is the most basic demonstration of Freedom of Speech. Republicans claim to be the defenders and protectors of the Constitution, but some must be OK with denying Democratic citizens their right to exercise the First Amendment. So today we’ll put up another sign and hope for the best. Freedom of Speech is the most basic and important of citizens’ RIGHTS! That’s why it’s the First Amendment!

In closing, we would like to say that we are proud Americans, and still have faith in the system, and are praying for a fair and honest election.

Ron and Sue Bjorklund