Federal Court Rules Salina Violated Cozy Inn’s First Amendment Rights in UFO-Themed Mural Case

Federal court rules Salina violated Cozy Inn’s First Amendment rights in UFO-themed mural case

The City of Salina unconstitutionally restricted the free speech of a century-old hamburger restaurant when it decided UFO-themed artwork on the outside wall of the Cozy Inn was a sign subject to city code, instead of an unregulated mural. The decision by U. S. District Judge Toby Crouse was hailed by free speech advocates, Cozy Inn owner Steve Howard, and the Kansas Justice Institute (KJI), like The Sentinel, a subsidiary of the Kansas Policy I…

Judge finds that Salina sign code discriminated against flying-saucer themed mural

A federal judge has found in favor of a Salina burger joint owner who said his free speech rights were violated when the city stopped him from painting a flying-saucer-themed mural on the side of his downtown restaurant. U.S. District Judge Toby Crouse found that the city violated Steve Howard's First Amendment rights when it delayed his request to paint a mural on the side of the restaurant, which has been located in downtown Salina for more th…