CHAPIN – Ernest Giardino last summer filed a civil action suit against the Town of Chapin after police officers informed him he needed a permit to hold religious signs on a public sidewalk.

The suit argues the town was infringing on his right to free speech.

Now, after 15 months, a district court on Sept. 8 issued an injunction against the small town’s enforcement of the ordinance, a preliminary victory for Giardino.

Giardino’s suit said that on June 20, 2024, he was informed by Chapin police that his frequent display of signs stating “Trust/ Christ/He paid the/ price!” and “He Saved Others/Jesus/He’ll Save You” on a public sidewalk was not allowed without a permit from the city. He alleges that the next day, he spoke with town police officials, who confirmed the need for a permit and showed him a permit application that would have limited his display time to 30 minutes at a time with two weeks’ notice. He decided to find legal assistance after reading the permit’s terms.

Giardino is being represented by the Texas-based First Liberty Institute, a national non-profit organization focused on defending religious freedoms in the United States. The organization sent a letter in October to city officials saying Chapin’s permit ordinance was infringing on Giardino’s First Amendment rights. First Liberty filed suit in July 2024 on Giardino’s behalf after no settlement was reached.

The recent injunction from the district court has halted the town’s requirement for Giardino to pursue a permit to demonstrate.

Town Administrator Nicholle Burroughs said she was unable to comment on pending litigation.

Giardino could not immediately be reached for comment. A woman who answered a phone listed for Giardino said he didn’t want to discuss the issue further.

“We are grateful that Ernest is now able to return to Chapin and peacefully share his religious beliefs,” First Liberty’s Senior Counsel Nate Kellum said in a Sept. 9 news release. “We are hopeful the Town will respect the Constitution and adopt a new law that recognizes his right to freely live out his faith in the public sphere.”

Giardino continues to stand at the intersection of Chapin Road and Lexington Avenue and is known by employees at the nearby S&S Destination restaurant. Kyle Turbyfill, a cook at the restaurant, said he sees Giardino outside and has never heard anyone complain about his presence.

“He’s just trying to spread the gospel,” Turbyfill said. “He’s just talking about Jesus.”