Tuesday, April 19, 2011
BANGOR, Maine (AP) — A federal judge said Tuesday he’s reluctant to rush to a decision on whether a mural depicting Maine’s labor history should be put back on display as a federal lawsuit targeting the governor’s decision to remove the mural plays out in court.
Gov. Paul LePage caused an uproar last month when he ordered the removal of the 36-foot-long mural from a Labor Department office in Augusta. The Republican governor said it presented a one-sided view of history.
An organized labor representative, a workplace safety official, three artists and an attorney sued, contending that LePage violated their First Amendment right of access to the artwork.
They asked Judge John Woodcock to order the multi-paneled art returned at once.
On Tuesday, Woodcock expressed concern about judicial meddling, saying federal courts “are very reluctant ... to interfere with state government.” He didn’t give a time frame for ruling on the request for a temporary restraining order.
Assistant Attorney General Paul Stern told the judge that the LePage administration was exercising its right to “government speech” when it removed the mural.
“It’s been there for three years,” Stern said. “Maybe it’s time to put something else up.”