Judge Must Decide If Toy Store's Giant Purple Octopus Mural is Regulated By Sign Ordinance
Suffice it to say that some in Walla Walla, Wash., are not fans of a giant cartoon-like mural featuring a purple octopus that is painted on the facade of a toy store building.
But is the depiction a sign or a work of art protected by the First Amendment? That is the question a Walla Walla County Superior Court judge must decide, after hearing oral arguments earlier this week from the city and plaintiff Bob Catsiff, who owns the Inland Octopus store and leases space in the building, reports the Union-Bulletin.
A post on the store’s website provides further details about the dispute as well as the text of the city’s sign ordinance, which Catsiff contends is unconstitutionally broad.
Related coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “ACLU Backs Florida Bait Shop Ticketed for Displaying US Constitution”
ABAJournal.com: “Fla. City Official: Business Sign Rules Allow US Flag, But Not 1st Amendment”
ABAJournal.com: “Fla. City to Pay $55K to Bait Shop Ticketed for Displaying US Constitution”
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