Greater Nashua
Nashua couple wins civil rights lawsuit against city
NASHUA - A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit recently rendered a unanimous decision that the city violated the First Amendment by not allowing Bethany and Stephen Scaer to fly flags on the Citizen Flag Pole. Mayor James Donchess and Risk Manager Jennifer Deshaies were also listed as defendants. In his Complaint, Attorney Roy McCandless, counsel for the Scaers, said there are four flag poles in front of City Hall. In 2017, one of them was designated as the Citizen Flag Pole for the purpose of flying flags “in support of cultural heritage, to observe an anniversary, honor a special accomplishment, or support a worthy cause.” McCandless said that in October 2020, Bethany Scaer was given permission to fly a Save Women’s Sports flag. Yet, the flag was taken down within 24 hours. “The city removed this Save Women’s Sports flag the ...
