A Florida business owner has been cited by the city of Orlando for displaying several U.S. flags in the windows of her office building – and a religious-freedom law group has gone to bat for her.
According to a statement from Liberty Counsel, Nancy Maddox, the owner of Peacock Home Collection, has been targeted by Orlando's Code Enforcement Bureau because of the small flags hanging on the outside of 15 windows at her home furnishings company. The flags measure no larger than 34 œ inches by 23 inches.
The daughter of a U.S. veteran who served in three wars, Maddox says she wanted to display the flags as a way to honor American military personnel. She says the flags are temporarily displayed on specific days, such as Independence Day, Memorial Day and September 11.
Liberty Counsel says the city has ordered the flag's immediate removal. A violation hearing is scheduled for Sept. 14.
The legal organization has contacted the city citing alleged procedural defects in the citation and warning that the sign ordinance used against Maddox is unconstitutional.
"I am astounded that the city of Orlando would reprimand anyone for displaying the American flag. We should encourage patriotism, not punish it," stated Mathew D. Staver, president and general counsel of Liberty Counsel.
Staver says if the city does not back down, Liberty Counsel will file a federal lawsuit on constitutional grounds. |