Clyde Reed v. Town of Gilbert, Arizona

BACKGROUND

I. USE OF SIGNS BY GOOD NEWS COMMUNITY CHURCH

Good News does not have a permanent sanctuary, and at the commencement of this litigation had been conducting its Sunday church services at an elementary school in the Town of Gilbert, Arizona (“Gilbert”) for about five years.1 Good News averages 45 regular congregants.

Members of Good News believe the Bible commands them to “go and make disciples of all nations,” and that they “should carry out this command by reaching out to the com- munity to meet together on a regular basis.” To do so, they “display[ ] signs announcing their services as an invitation for 1 According to the parties, Good News meets currently at a school in the adjacent town of Chandler, Arizona, approximately one mile from the Gil- bert town line. The change in location does not moot the controversy, however, because Good News still wishes to place temporary signs in Gil- bert due to its proximity to the church’s meeting place. REED v. TOWN OF GILBERT 15399 those in the community to attend.” Good News states that “[f]or a time, the Church was placing about 17 signs in the areas surrounding the Church,” and that the signs “were…