City of Fort Lauderdale v. Chuanwen Wang

Chuanwen Wang, an artist who sells his artwork on sidewalks, was told by City of Fort Lauderdale officials that he would be arrested for violating three city ordinances if he attempted to sell his artwork on sidewalks in an area including the Fort Lauderdale Beach. Selling artwork is speech protected by the First Amendment, and therefore, any time, place, manner restriction must leave open reasonable alternative channels of communication. On motion for summary judgment, Wang persuaded the trial court that the three city ordinances violate the First Amendment. However, we reverse because Wang…