Man Awarded $50K Over Bird-Flipping Ticket

Pittsburgh settles suit over ticket for giving cop the finger
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 25, 2009 3:15 AM CST
Man Awarded $50K Over Bird-Flipping Ticket
This gesture is constitutionally protected free speech, according to several decisions in federal courts.   (Shutter Stock)

Giving the finger to a cop has won a Pittsburgh man a $50,000 payoff. The city council decided to pay him to settle a civil rights lawsuit he brought after being ticketed for flipping the bird at a police officer and a fellow motorist, reports the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Federal courts have consistently ruled that giving somebody the finger falls firmly within the boundaries of free speech protected by the Constitution.
(More flip the bird stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X