FFRF gets church to take down sign on right-of-way (September 2023)

A Bedford County, Va., church has taken down signs on public property after FFRF took action.

A concerned Virginia resident reported that Impact Church had been frequently placing advertisements on Perrowville Road alongside Jefferson Forest High School. FFRF understood that the right-of-way was under control of the Department of Transportation and that advertisements were not allowed to be posted.

ā€œBy allowing church advertisements to be posted in its right-of-way, the DOT sends an exclusionary message that needlessly alienates Virginians and travelers who are non-Christians,ā€ FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line wrote to District Engineer Ken King.

Residency Administrator Todd K. Daniel responded to FFRF on Kingā€™s behalf. ā€œWe have reviewed the area in question and communicated with the Impact Church leadership concerning Virginia Code related to advertising in the right of way,ā€ he wrote. Daniel stated that the church communicated that they understood the code and would comply.

Freedom From Religion Foundation