This, as we have noted before, is how censorship works in the USA: by other namesâwhich, of course, makes it more insidious. From AP, Nov. 27:
DENVER — A homeowners association in southwestern Colorado has threatened to fine a resident $25 a day until she removes a Christmas wreath with a peace sign that some say is an anti-Iraq war protest or a symbol of Satan.
Some residents who have complained have children serving in Iraq, said Bob Kearns, president of the Loma Linda Homeowners Association in Pagosa Springs. He said some residents have also believed it was a symbol of Satan. Three or four residents complained, he said.
âSomebody could put up signs that say drop bombs on Iraq. If you let one go up you have to let them all go up,â he said in a telephone interview Sunday.
Lisa Jensen said she wasnât thinking of the war when she hung the wreath. She said, âPeace is way bigger than not being at war. This is a spiritual thing.â
Jensen, a past association president, calculates the fines will cost her about $1,000, and doubts they will be able to make her pay. But she said sheâs not going to take it down until after Christmas.
âNow that it has come to this I feel I canât get bullied,â she said. âWhat if they donât like my Santa Claus.â
The association in this 200-home subdivision 270 miles southwest of Denver has sent a letter to her saying that residents were offended by the sign and the board âwill not allow signs, flags etc. that can be considered divisive.â
The subdivisionâs rules say no signs, billboards or advertising are permitted without the consent of the architectural control committee.
Kearns ordered the committee to require Jensen to remove the wreath, but members refused after concluding that it was merely a seasonal symbol that didnât say anything. Kearns fired all five committee members.
See our last post on the anti-war movement (which this Christmas wreath incident barely even qualifies asâwhich just makes the backlash all the more terrifying).
Satanic symbol
The peace symbol as Satanic is an old fundie urban myth. Witchvox explains:
Peace fights back
From Democracy Now via Indybay, Dec. 1: