SC man who sued town over rules on religious signs, scores double victory
A Chapin man who sued over his right to display religious signs in the small town along Lake Murray has received not one but two wins in his fight against town restrictions.
A federal judge this week issued an injunction on the town enforcing an ordinance that prohibited Ernest Giardino from picketing in a public place with religious-themed signs without a town permit. That decision follows a vote by Chapin Town Council to drop restrictions that would keep Giardino from evangelizing on local streets — and loosen rules for other public demonstrations too.
Giardino, represented by the Texas-based Christian conservative legal organization First Liberty Institute, filed suit against Chapin last year after a town police officer told him he needed a permit to stand on a sidewalk displaying a 20x24-inch sign with religious messages. One side of Giardino’s sign read, “Trust Christ He paid the price,” while the other said, “He Saved Others — Jesus — He’ll Save You.”
Giardino’s suit contended the town restriction violated his First Amendment right to free religious expression. On Monday, Judge Mary Geiger Lewis blocked the town from enforcing the requirement against Giardino.
“Plaintiff may resume his previous activities within the Town Limits, so long as his conduct is otherwise lawful,” the judge said in the order.
Giardino’s attorney said his client was “ecstatic” over the judge’s order.
“Now he can go out and share his faith,” said Garrett Bell, associate counsel at First Liberty Institute. “He couldn’t wait to get out and spread his hopeful message again.”
But the previous Thursday, Chapin Town Council met in a special session to revise its policy on public picketing.
The council repealed its previous policy, and going forward will allow public demonstrations of one or two people without a requirement to register with the town in advance. Larger groups would still have to seek a permit in advance, but the new rules will also allow picketing without a permit anytime on the sidewalk in front of Town Hall.
“The Town has consistently demonstrated its willingness to adapt policies in ways that promote efficiency, equity, and transparency,” Chapin Mayor Al Koon said in a statement. “This new process is a continuation of that commitment, ensuring that everyone has an opportunity to express themselves without unnecessary delays or confusion.”
Bell told The State he had not seen the revised ordinance approved by the town council, but from his communication with the town he believed they were willing to make changes to protect the public’s rights.
“Ultimately, do we want the government controlling our speech, so you can’t talk about your faith in public unless we give you permission to do so?” Bell asked. “The Constitution recognizes our natural right to free speech, and that’s the default. Even though this is a small town in South Carolina, in the case of one guy, it’s an important question for all citizens to consider.”
This story was originally published September 11, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
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