Westfield's Free Speech Amendment Receives Praise From Whistleblowing Law Firm

WESTFIELD, NJ — The organization that called on Westfield to adjust its policies on messaging that can be shared on public property praised officials for their actions that amended the Town Code.

Ordinance 2025-21 was amended on Nov. 25 after "Institute for Justice (IJ)," a nonprofit law firm, wrote a letter to leaders that outlined why they believed terminology limited free speech of residents by over-governing what can be shared.

"Westfield's old ordinance unconstitutionally gave officials total discretion about what speech to permit or forbid," added Attorney Ben Field. "I'm glad to see that the revised ordinance significantly constrains that discretion to ensure equal treatment of all speech and all speakers."

The new amended ordinance allows for freely displaying signs in certain areas without permission and outlines clearer guidelines that take away questions left to be governed under the discretion of town leaders.

This includes the number of signs allowed to be shared and the narrowing of areas of speech that are not constitutionally protected.

"After receiving IJ's letter, town officials acknowledged that their ordinance was at odds with the First Amendment's requirements," the firm added, "IJ has a long history of fighting to protect Americans' right to free speech through challenging unconstitutional sign code restrictions."

MORE ON THE AMENDMENT: Westfield Adjusts Policy On Displaying Advertisements And Signs Around Community