Fraternal Order of Police Pennsylvania et al v. TOWNSHIP OF SPRINGFIELD et al

Filing 61

ORDER THAT DEFENDANTS REQUEST TO SUBSTITUTE BRENDAN MAY FOR EDDIE GRAHAM IS GRANTED. SEE FED. R. CIV. P. 25(G). THE CLERK OF COURT SHALL AMEND THE CASE CAPTION ACCORDINGLY; THE REMAINDER OF DEFENDANTS MOTION (DOC. NO. 46) IS DENIED AND PLAINTIFFS MOT ION (DOC. NO. 45) IS GRANTED. JUDGMENT IS ENTERED IN FAVOR OFPLAINTIFFS. SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP RESOLUTION 1592, A RESOLUTION PROHIBITING THE DISPLAY OF THE THIN BLUE LINE AMERICAN FLAG ON ALL TOWNSHIP PROPERTY, IS DECLARED UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND DEFENDANTS ARE PERMANENTLY ENJOINED FROM ENFORCING ITS TERMS. SIGNED BY HONORABLE KAREN S. MARSTON ON 11/13/23. 11/13/23 ENTERED AND COPIES E-MAILED.(jaa, )

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION

PENNSYLVANIA STATE LODGE
FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE, et al.,

NO. 23-332-KSM

Plaintiffs,
v.
TOWNSHIP OF SPRINGFIELD, et al.,
Defendants.
ORDER

AND NOW this 13th day of November, 2023, upon consideration of Plaintiffs’ Motion
for Summary Judgment (Doc. Nos. 44, 45), Defendants’ opposition brief (Doc. Nos. 49, 50),
Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. No. 46), Plaintiffs’ opposition brief (Doc. No.
47), Defendants’ reply brief (Doc. No. 56), and the arguments made by counsel at oral argument
on November 6, 2023, it is ORDERED as follows:
1.

Defendants’ request to substitute Brendan May for Eddie Graham is GRANTED.

See Fed. R. Civ. P. 25(g). The Clerk of Court shall AMEND the case caption accordingly.
2.

The remainder of Defendants’ motion (Doc. No. 46) is DENIED.

3.

Plaintiffs’ motion (Doc. No. 45) is GRANTED. Judgment is entered in favor of

Plaintiffs. Springfield Township Resolution 1592, “A Resolution Prohibiting the Display of the
Thin Blue Line American Flag on All Township Property,” is DECLARED unconstitutional and
Defendants are PERMANENTLY ENJOINED from enforcing its terms.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
/s/Karen Spencer Marston
______________________________
KAREN SPENCER MARSTON, J.