Woman Told to Remove 'Messages From God'

[Amused]

Woman Told to Remove 'Messages From God'
SAN MATEO, Calif. (Feb. 27) - A woman who has covered her roof and property with painted slogans she calls messages from God has been ordered to remove them or face possible fines or jail time.

The San Mateo City Council unanimously ruled last week that Estrella Benavides' writings violate city codes regulating the size of signs. The writings allege vast government conspiracies, among other warnings.

Benavides, 47, who also broadcasts the messages from a loudspeaker on her car's roof, has said the messages come to her from God through a statue at her church and from the Bible.

She claims the city's ruling violates her free speech rights.

"They're telling me based on the San Mateo sign code that I'm violating the law," Benavides said. "I'm telling them based on the U.S. Constitution that their sign code violates the law."

The council ruling orders Benavides to remove the slogans or face fines of $50 a day starting late next month. If she refuses to remove them or pay the fines, the city will sue her or file criminal charges, City Attorney Shawn Mason said.

 

[Gooberlx2]

We had a crazy like that in Milwaukee. Drove around with racist and religious stickers all over his little car and some ridiculous jargon coming from a loudspeaker mounted on the top.

 

[SacrosanctFiend]

We have the right to free speech, unless someone doesn't like what we're saying.

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend
We have the right to free speech, unless someone doesn't like what we're saying.

Like HOA?

 

[SacrosanctFiend]

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend
We have the right to free speech, unless someone doesn't like what we're saying.

Like HOA?

I wasn't speaking of this case specifically, I was speaking in general. Honestly, I don't know how HOAs work, but, from what I gather, if you choose to live in a neighborhood with a HOA you are voluntarily consenting to whatever they want.

 

[destrekor]

the biggest thing is we have the right to free speech, true... but that doesn't imply we can make our speech on signs that are larger than allowed by city code.
and the sign code is not illegal because its merely controlling the size of the sign, not what the sign can say. she can say whatever the hell she wants to, just has to say it with smaller text. big deal, she's trying to make a case out of nothing. damn nutjob

 

[Aharami]

how is this news worthy?

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: Aharami
how is this news worthy?

Because crazy people who have statues talking to them are always interesting.

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: Aharami
how is this news worthy?

Because crazy people who have statues talking to them are always interesting.

Like Orel Roberts and his 1000 ft Jesus?

 

[meltdown75]

Originally posted by: Aharami
how is this news worthy?

It's geared towards the audience here, so everyone can come in and bash the zealots and it can turn into a flamefest. After the thread hits 100 replies or so, Amused's e-pen0r grows a little more.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: meltdown75

Originally posted by: Aharami
how is this news worthy?

It's geared towards the audience here, so everyone can come in and bash the zealots and it can turn into a flamefest. After the thread hits 100 replies or so, Amused's e-pen0r grows a little more.

e-pen0r? Naw, this is more like entertainment for me when I'm stuck in my office.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: meltdown75

Originally posted by: Aharami
how is this news worthy?

It's geared towards the audience here, so everyone can come in and bash the zealots and it can turn into a flamefest. After the thread hits 100 replies or so, Amused's e-pen0r grows a little more.

Actually, I think it's swelling right now in anticipation of sodomizing a few no0bs.

- M4H

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: meltdown75

Originally posted by: Aharami
how is this news worthy?

It's geared towards the audience here, so everyone can come in and bash the zealots and it can turn into a flamefest. After the thread hits 100 replies or so, Amused's e-pen0r grows a little more.

Actually, I think it's swelling right now in anticipation of sodomizing a few no0bs.

- M4H

Bah. Threads like this are more of a spectator sport than anything. I love seeing the discussion that goes on so I post interesting, non-political current events.

 

[ahurtt]

Poor woman, sounds like she needs some psychiatric help. I don't think fining her is going to do any good.

 

[bignateyk]

Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend
We have the right to free speech, unless someone doesn't like what we're saying.

No, you have the right to free speech unless you are violating an ordinance that you signed or agreed to. She would be fine if she was simply yelling out her car but amplifying the sound violates an ordinance.

Likewise, the slogans plastered all over her property also violate an ordinance.


I dont know why people think that freedom of speech gives them the ability to do anything they want. Had she simply been "speaking" she would have been fine.

 

[Mucho]

Why don't she ask god to smite those heathen.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Oh yeah, I'll make the "So can I cover my house in messages from Satan?" post so no one else has to.

- M4H

 

[40Hands]

200 years ago this woman would be praised for her ability to talk to god! Or burned for being a witch. Whichever the mob decided.

 

[SacrosanctFiend]

Originally posted by: bignateyk

Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend
We have the right to free speech, unless someone doesn't like what we're saying.

No, you have the right to free speech unless you are violating an ordinance that you signed or agreed to. She would be fine if she was simply yelling out her car but amplifying the sound violates an ordinance.

Likewise, the slogans plastered all over her property also violate an ordinance.


I dont know why people think that freedom of speech gives them the ability to do anything they want. Had she simply been "speaking" she would have been fine.

Again, I was speaking in general and not to this specific case.

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

We must make bigger signs, and they shall be NEON.

They will say 'Laugh at teh crazy woman and her ramblings, only $5! (or $3 with a Rossman coupon)'

 

[George P Burdell]

Does God ask her to feed the hungry and look after the poor?

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: 40Hands
200 years ago this woman would be praised for her ability to talk to god! Or burned for being a witch. Whichever the mob decided.

Those nutty mobs. So unpredictable!

Anyway, any more news on what some of the messages were? I have a feeling that if they said something like "Go 49ers!" no one would care...

 

[Amused]

[Elwood]She's on a mission from god[/Elwood]