Quinn v. Eucalitto

In an effort to encourage fellow Connecticut residents to take action to save democracy and consider the rule of law, the Visibility Brigade, including our clients Erin Quinn and Robert Marra, turned to the streets to be heard and seen. Standing on local roads where they pass over I-95, Ms. Quinn and Mr. Marra have held signs condemning the government overreach and abuse of power that they have been witnessing and continue to witness. State law enforcement have threatened, detained, and prosecuted several of the protestors in the Visibility Brigade, claiming that no signs may ever be shown to interstate traffic or that sign-holders are criminally liable for drivers' reactions to the signs. These signs include a variety of messages, including language such as "Due process is the law," "These voices melt ICE," "No Kings," "Love Liberty? Resist Tyranny," and "Hands Off Our Judges." State police have insisted that sign-holders are trespassing, or illegally displaying signs that may distract drivers. Meanwhile, Connecticut allows other roadway signage, including large electronic billboards.

Overpass streets and public sidewalks are traditional public forums where the right to free speech remains inalienable. The ACLU Foundation of Connecticut is suing to force the defendants—Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto and Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Commissioner Ronnell Higgins—to abide by the First Amendment and stop threatening or prosecuting overpass demonstrators.

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