Bakery owner fights town over mural in free speech case
- Sean Young, owner of Leavitt's Country Bakery, is embroiled in a legal battle with the town of Conway over a mural displayed on his business.
- The mural, painted by local high school students, was deemed non-compliant with the town's sign code due to its size and content.
- Young's lawsuit argues that the town's actions violate his freedom of speech, highlighting the broader implications for artistic expression.
In a notable First Amendment case in the United States, a mural depicting various pastries and sunbeams on the side of Leavitt's Country Bakery in Conway, New Hampshire, has sparked legal disputes between the bakery owner, Sean Young, and the town. The mural, created by local high school art students, was installed in June 2022 and garnered positive feedback from the community. However, after a town zoning officer deemed it constitutive of a sign rather than art due to its size, the zoning board ordered Young to modify or remove it to comply with local sign regulations. Young's legal battle began after he faced potential misdemeanor charges and fines for noncompliance, prompting him to file a federal lawsuit in 2023, claiming his freedom of speech had been infringed upon by the town's actions. The Institute for Justice, a Virginia-based organization representing Young, argues that government officials should not dictate what individuals can display publicly and contends that the town's restrictions are overly broad. The bakery, a community staple for more than 45 years, continues to attract visitors despite the legal challenges surrounding its mural. Meanwhile, the town, which emphasized the importance of aesthetics and safety in its signage rules, has a history of enforcing these codes against various local businesses. Before Young's case, the town had addressed similar situations involving an ice cream parlor and a sporting goods store, indicating its commitment to uphold sign regulations evenly throughout the community. Following these incidents, residents of Conway briefly considered revising the territory's sign definition to permit Young's mural to remain. However, despite the recent ordinance changes approved by local voters, Young's situation remains unresolved, as the new rules have not yet applied to his case specifically. The outcome of this trial could have significant implications for free speech rights in commercial contexts, as well as the ongoing debate about the role of government in regulating artistic expression and public signage in the town.