Veteran Files Lawsuit Against Third Georgia City for Censoring ‘God Bless the Homeless Vets’ Sign

A U.S. Army veteran has filed a lawsuit against a third city in Georgia after a police officer arrested him while he stood outside city hall holding a sign with the message, “God bless the homeless vets.”

Jeffrey Gray filed the suit Monday against Port Wentworth Police Lt. Robert Hemminger. The filing was submitted in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia, Savannah Division.

“Because it made city employees uncomfortable, a police officer told him that the sidewalks were private property and asked that he leave,” explained the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, the organization representing Gray. “When Jeff began to film the encounter and asked if he was trespassing, the police officer detained him. When Jeff refused to identify himself, saying he would rather leave, he was arrested for refusing to provide identification.”

FIRE attorney Harrison Rosenthal added, “No matter how many lawsuits it takes, FIRE will zealously defend what should be an unambiguous right — to peaceably hold a sign in front of city hall. We’re not just defending Gray’s First Amendment rights; we’re safeguarding the Constitution — a document that U.S. Army veterans, including Gray, bravely serve to protect.”

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The veteran’s third lawsuit comes months after he took the city of Alpharetta to court, as CBN News reported. At the time, Gray told FIRE, “I have been harassed, trespassed, handcuffed, and arrested countless times for peacefully exercising my First Amendment rights.”

“My intention is to ensure that all Americans from the wealthiest millionaire to the poorest homeless person can exercise these rights without fear of consequence from our government,” he said.

While the case in Alpharetta is still ongoing, city police officers have accused Gray of “panhandling” and have barred him from “continuing to engage in expressive activity.” Gray, for his part, has said he was not in any way trying to profit from the peaceful protest but was instead trying to simply convey a message.

In his first lawsuit against the city of Blackshear, which has since been settled, Gray stated he was issued a criminal citation for holding the sign. Authorities accused him of violating a city ordinance against “holding a ‘parade, procession, or demonstration’” without the permission of the city council.

Lawyers with FIRE said at the time the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is Gray’s “permission slip.”

In June, members of the Blackshear City Council agreed to retool its ordinance, now allowing residents to demonstrate peacefully on public streets and sidewalks without obtaining prior clearance from city officials.

And earlier in the spring, as part of the negotiation, the city agreed to drop its criminal citation against Gray as well as donate $1,791 to National Coalition for Homeless Veterans.