Complaint Charges Political Bias and Violation of First Amendment
CAMBRIDGE, MA (April 22, 2018) – Today, Dr. Shiva Ayyadurai and his U.S. Senate campaign, SHIVA 4 SENATE, filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Cambridge for violating his First Amendment rights to use the slogan “Only A Real Indian Can Defeat The Fake Indian” on his campaign bus parked at his office building.
The complaint, filed in U.S. District Court in Boston, claims that the City was motivated by political bias when it alleged the slogan on the vehicle constituted a building code violation, and demanded that the slogan be taken down from the SHIVA 4 SENATE campaign bus or face a $300 a day fine. The slogan however, is painted on the bus, which is parked in the parking lot when it is not on the road, and is not part of the building, which is free of any signs commercial, political or otherwise.
The complaint pointed out that previous signage on the bus did not invite such a letter from the City of Cambridge, even though such signage was on the bus for nearly a year. But in a warning letter sent on April 5, the City only objected to the latest banner, which highlights Elizabeth Warren’s dishonesty in claiming Native American ancestry. The complaint seeks a temporary and permanent injunction against the City imposing any fine.
“This is a political vendetta by City officials who are supporters of Elizabeth Warren,” said Dr. Ayyadurai, adding that, “We will not remove the slogan from our bus. We will not give one penny to the City. We will defend the First Amendment, and we will fight this egregious attack on the First Amendment, at any cost.”
Anyone seeking to support the campaign’s lawsuit against the City can donate to the SHIVA 4 SENATE campaign at Shiva4Senate.Com/Defend-The-Bus-Defend-The-First-Amendment .
Any press inquiries can be directed via email to shiva@shiva4senate.com, or via phone to 1-617-631-6874.