A story out of Pitman, New Jersey. It seems that a local chapter of the
Knights of Columbus has hung a banner, attached on both sides to private property but spanning a public street, stating, “Keep Christ in Christmas.” There is no question that the Knights are responsible for the banner, since it says so right on the banner itself.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation, however, has asked the town to remove it. But as the mayor points out, the banner is actually affixed to private property, so it is not exactly clear that the town has the authority to take it down, even if it wanted to. (There seems to be some disagreement in the news stories I looked at about exactly what the sign is attached to; some stories say private property, others say public streetlamps and such. This may be an important fact legally.)
Undaunted, FFRF is now searching for a suitable place to display its own sign: “At this season of the Winter Solstice, may reason prevail. There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds.” No word yet on whether they have found a banner big enough.
Comes down to the law. As long as the fact that it’s attached to private buildings is enough to make it on private property, great for them. This also means that any other organization can put up banners in the same way, of course. But more speech, in my humble opinion, is always a good thing.