Editing Middleborough, Massachusetts (section)

=== Profanity ban controversy ===

On June 11, 2012, Middleborough made national headlines after residents approved an ordinance outlawing the use of [[profanity]] in public, making it punishable by a $20 fine. It passed 183–50 in the town of over 23,000 residents.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sanburn|first=Josh|title=What the @!#$? Cursing in Public in This Massachusetts Town Will Cost You $20|url=https://business.time.com/2012/06/13/what-the-cursing-in-public-in-this-massachusetts-town-will-cost-you-20/|access-date=July 4, 2012|newspaper=TIME|date=June 13, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Weinger|first=Mackenzie|title=Fines for swearing in public in Massachusetts town|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0612/77329.html|access-date=July 4, 2012|newspaper=Politico|date=June 12, 2012}}</ref> Many legal experts said the law violates the [[First amendment|First Amendment to the United States Constitution]]. Dozens of residents on both sides of the issue attended a protest in front of the town hall.<ref>{{cite news|last=Harish|first=Alon|title=Public Swearing Ban Cursed at Protest in Massachusetts Town|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/cursing-ban-draws-protesters-massachusetts-town/story?id=16653252#.T_R5gPVFmS0|access-date=July 4, 2012 |publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |date=June 26, 2012}}</ref> The Massachusetts state director for the [[American Civil Liberties Union]] said, "the Supreme Court has ruled that the government can't prohibit public speech just because it contains profanity."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wric.com/story/18764112/mass-town-imposes-fine-for-public-swearing |title=Mass. Town Imposes Fine For Public Swearing |publisher=WRIC.com |date=June 12, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=June 25, 2012 |title=Opponents, supporters rally on Mass. swearing code |url=https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/national-international/profanity-rally-protests-towns-anti-swearing-law/1919454/ |access-date=2025-05-04 |work=NBC Bay Area |agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> In October 2012, Massachusetts attorney general [[Martha Coakley]] blocked enforcement of the law, saying it was inconsistent with the Constitution, and the town ultimately backed off the profanity ban.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bolton |first1=Michele Morgan |title=Martha Coakley halts profanity ban enforcement |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2012/10/09/coakley-upholds-middleborough-bylaw-against-profanity-antisocial-behavior/FQmNDZzIfPSv6jehAyWXJJ/story.html |access-date=July 1, 2020 |work=[[The Boston Globe]] |date=October 10, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Proctor |first1=Jason |title=Taber's anti-swearing bylaw fits tradition of behaviour-busting |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/taber-s-anti-swearing-bylaw-fits-tradition-of-behaviour-busting-1.2997483 |access-date=July 1, 2020 |agency=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=March 17, 2015}}</ref>