In a crucial free speech win, a New Hampshire bakery has asserted its First Amendment rights, winning a legal fight against a town’s bureaucratic overreach.
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U.S. District Judge Joseph Laplante ruled in favor of Sean Young’s bakery, allowing a vibrant mural of pastries to remain unaltered, marking a significant win for artistic expression.
In a decisive judgment, the court ruled that the town of Conway unjustly infringed on First Amendment rights, with their attempt to classify the bakery’s mural as a “sign.”
The town’s zoning board, under the guise of aesthetic regulation, claimed the mural exceeded local size restrictions because it depicted baked goods sold at the bakery.
The controversy started when high school students adorned the bakery walls with colorful depictions of pastries illuminated by sunbeams over a mountain scene.
Township officials deemed the 90-square-foot mural an advertisement, putting it under stringent sign laws and demanding modifications.
Young, confronted with potential misdemeanor charges and fines, brought the action to court, standing firm against this bureaucratic overreach.
Judge Laplante found the enforcement of this regulation inconsistent and unjust, affirming that the town’s policy acted against Young’s free speech rights.
“I’m thrilled that the students’ artwork can remain up, I’m thrilled that my First Amendment rights have been vindicated, and I’m thrilled that the community can continue to enjoy the beautiful piece of art,” stated Young, cited by NBC News.
Judge Laplante’s ruling not only favored the bakery but ordered the town to cease enforcing its vague sign codes regarding the mural.
His judgment criticized the zoning laws for their broad definitions, heavily implicating local businesses’ freedom to express creativity and communicate visually.
Members of the community applauded the decision, seeing it as a victory for common sense and constitutional rights.
While some local residents remain concerned about overdevelopment, many believe this ruling sends a positive message, especially to the students who contributed to the mural.
Bakery in New Hampshire wins in free speech case over a pastry shop painting https://t.co/DWgrmLsiGr
— The Sun (@sbsun) May 20, 2025
“I’ve had a grin on my face ever since I got the news because you stick to your guns and you fight for what you know is right, and sometimes the little guy does win,” said local resident Gay Moceri.
The bakery’s simple request for $1 in damages underscores their fight wasn’t about monetary gain but about principle.
As municipalities attempt to regulate business through such codes, this decision reminds communities that artistic freedom deserves protection, even within a commercial context.
