This sign on a truck creates a hostile environment at work:
Arapahoe County is threatening to fire a veteran Public Works employee for promoting the fact that he is an English speaking American.
"They claim it's offensive and I've been accused of discrimination and harassment, believe it or not, because of this," said Mike Gray, a heavy equipment operator with the Arapahoe County Road and Bridge Department for 16 years.
The problems began last spring. Gray, 50, owns a lawn service business on the side. He was routinely driving to work in his pickup truck towing a trailer that he uses to carry lawn mowing equipment for his business. On the side of his trailer, the married father of two affixed a sign that reads "Lawn Services Done With Pride!! By An English Speaking American."
Gray's lawyer has filed an injunction against Arapahoe Count, claiming violation of First Amendment rights. This is a goverment employer and not a private company, so he may have a case.
Any thoughts from our resident professional and non-professional legal experts? In English, would be preferable.
(Via Fark.)
Posted by floridacracker at March 3, 2006 12:31 PMNo entiendo.
Posted by: Chris at March 3, 2006 12:57 PMEs increible, no? Nuestra sistema de justica es un manicomio.
Posted by: Mr. Bingley at March 3, 2006 01:57 PMyo intiende poquito espanol, but not enough to do business with 'no engles' yardman...
I applaud the fella...who was it Truman who decreed English as the American peoples language???
Posted by: Owen Crosby at March 3, 2006 02:31 PMAccording to a recent report from the British Council, 2 billion people will be studying English and about half the world's population will be speaking English within about ten years. India alone probably has more English speakers now than we do which may mean shorter waiting times for calls to your help desk. All told, there should be something around 3 billion people speaking some form of English world wide, except maybe in border states, the DC area and Florida. In the meantime, Mr. Gray should put a sign on his trailier to say "Hablamos inglés" just to chafe his critics. A "Su Frontera es Mi Frontera" bumper sticker would be good too.
Posted by: tfhr at March 3, 2006 09:26 PMGood for the goose is good for the gander. Even people who don't speak Spanish know "Se Habla Espanol." There should be no problem in advertising that you speak English.
Posted by: Donnah at March 4, 2006 03:54 PM