Denham Springs woman seeks to keep middle finger light display

The holidays may be over, but a Denham Springs woman wants to keep an unusual light display on her roof that’s garnered her headlines across the nation. The rooftop light display shows an extended middle finger to her neighbors. U.S. District Judge James Brady was hearing testimony today about whether Sarah Childs should be granted a preliminary injunction, barring the city of Denham Springs and police from requiring her to remove the display. Childs says she put up the roof message in November because she believed a neighbor stole her dog. She says police subsequently threatened her with fines and with arrest because of the lights. She and the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana sued the city and police. Lawyers for Denham Springs and police say officials didn’t threaten Childs. They also argue the display isn’t protected speech under the Constitution. No decision on the case had been announced as of press time.