News Summary
A federal lawsuit has been filed against the Town of Chapin, S.C., alleging violations of the First Amendment rights of resident Ernest Giardino. The suit, initiated by the First Liberty Institute, claims that Giardino’s attempts to display religious signs were obstructed by local officials citing a permit requirement. This legal action aims to address the implications of public expression regulations on religious beliefs, raising questions about First Amendment rights within the community.
Chapin, S.C. — A federal lawsuit has been filed against the Town of Chapin, South Carolina, alleging that local officials violated the First Amendment rights of resident Ernest Giardino. This lawsuit, initiated by the First Liberty Institute, claims that Giardino’s rights were infringed upon when he attempted to display religious signs in a public area, which has sparked a broader conversation about free expression in the community.
Giardino, an evangelical Christian known for promoting his beliefs through sign displays, was holding a 20-by-24-inch sign at the busy intersection of Old Lexington Road and Chapin Road on June 20, 2024. The sign read, “Trust Christ, He paid the price” on one side, and “He Saved Others—Jesus—He’ll Save You” on the reverse. When approached by a police officer at the scene, Giardino was not speaking or using any noise amplification. The officer informed him that he was required to obtain a permit to post his sign on public property.
The officer referenced Ordinance 14.1001, which governs parades, demonstrations, and picketing within the town’s jurisdiction. According to this ordinance, Giardino would have had to limit his sign display to 30 minutes and change sidewalk corners every 15 minutes, which the lawsuit claims constitutes an unconstitutional restriction on religious expression.
The legal action seeks a ruling from the court that would deem the ordinance unconstitutional regarding individuals or small groups engaged in peaceful religious expression in public spaces. While Giardino is also claiming nominal damages of $1.00, the main focus of the lawsuit revolves around the implications of the permit requirement on First Amendment rights, specifically the right to free speech.
In the preceding months, First Liberty Institute had openly criticized the Town of Chapin’s handling of Giardino’s religious displays, arguing that no individual should need governmental permission to express their faith publicly. The organization’s stance underscores a strong belief that such regulatory measures unnecessarily impede free speech within the community.
Chapin’s Town Administrator, Nicholle Burroughs, explained that the need for a public demonstration permit is directed towards both signage and sound amplification activities. Burroughs articulated the town’s intentions to strike a balance between the promotion of free speech and the need for reasonable regulations related to sign size, placement, and duration. The comments highlight the town’s attempt to enforce regulations while allowing for public expression, a stance that First Liberty Institute vehemently contests.
The ongoing dispute has drawn attention to previous instances where Giardino displayed similar religious signs over the course of eight months without being challenged by local authorities. This context raises questions regarding consistency in the enforcement of the town’s ordinances and the perception of religious expression within public forums.
As the lawsuit develops, it serves as a significant reflection of the nationwide conversations surrounding First Amendment rights, particularly in South Carolina, where public expression and governmental regulations often come into conflict. The outcome of this legal challenge may have lasting implications for how towns across the state approach public demonstrations of faith and religious expression.
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Additional Resources
- WACH News
- Wikipedia: First Amendment to the United States Constitution
- The State
- Google Search: First Amendment law South Carolina
- WISTV
- Google Scholar: First Amendment rights religious expression
- Fox News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Free Speech
- Post and Courier
- Google News: First Liberty Institute Chapin lawsuit
Author: STAFF HERE Chapin
CHAPIN STAFF WRITER The CHAPIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREchapin.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Chapin, Lexington County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Chapin Christmas Parade, Fourth of July Celebration, and the Chapin Fall Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Chapin Chamber of Commerce and the Lexington School District One, plus leading businesses in retail and recreation that power the local economy such as Lake Murray Tourism and the Chapin Visitor Information. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREaiken.com, HEREbeaufort.com, HEREchapin.com, HEREcharleston.com, HEREclinton.com, HEREcolumbia.com, HEREgeorgetown.com, HEREgreenwood.com, HEREgreenville.com, HEREhiltonhead.com, HEREirmo.com, HEREmyrtlebeach.com, HEREnewberry.com, HERErockhill.com, HEREspartanburg.com, HEREaustin.com, HEREcollegestation.com, HEREdallas.com, HEREhouston.com, and HEREsanantonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
