Groveport, OH: Ban on sale of ‘Faith Based Items’ and Items Containing ‘Socially Offensive Language’ at City Festival

The City of Groveport, Ohio, notified vendors they could not sell “faith based items” or items containing “socially offensive language” at the Apple Butter Day festival on October 14, 2023. In an October 11 letter to the city, FIRE explained that these restrictions violate the First Amendment by suppressing speech based on viewpoint. On October 13, Groveport officials confirmed to FIRE that the city would allow a couple seeking to sell items with faith-based messages to do so at the festival. The city also confirmed it would initiate a formal review of its vendor policy, including the ban on “socially offensive language.”