The News: The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL), on behalf of a Village resident, has issued a letter demanding that the Village of Slinger immediately withdraw the unconstitutional enforcement of its sign ordinances. 

Our client displays the above sign on their fence.

The Quotes: WILL Associate Counsel, Nathalie Burmeister, stated, “Government actors, no matter how big, small, or local, must adhere to the rights and liberties the U.S. Constitution guarantees American citizens. The Village should immediately cease its enforcement of their sign ordinance. The Village of Slinger has no authority to make value judgments about what speech is allowed and what is not.”

The above photo was sent to WILL and sparked our investigation.

Additional Background: On February 12, 2025, the Village of Slinger sent a letter to Dwight Mueller, a Village resident, regarding a flag displayed on his private property. This letter states that “flags displaying [ ] political messages or content are in violation” of Village Ordinances §§ 550-57A(7), (10) and B(1). It is WILL’s understanding that other Village residents have received similar letters.

WILL’s February 25, 2025, letter to the Village states that because these ordinances are content-based restrictions on speech, they are unconstitutional and unenforceable.

WILL’s Recent First Amendment Win: In 2023, WILL represented homeowners against the City of Neenah to defend against the City’s enforcement of its unconstitutional sign ordinance. WILL secured an injunction and the city was forced to change its ordinance.

Read more:

• Letter, February 2025