Judge says inflatable rat has 1st Amendment rights
Scabby, the giant inflatable union rat, that’s front and center at so many pickets and labor disputes, won its First Amendment rights in a federal ruling this week after an asbestos contractor sued to have the rat declared a “disruptive practice.”
“The defendants’ peaceful use of a stationary, inflatable rat to publicize a labor protest is protected by the First Amendment,” ruled Judge Joseph Bianco.
Scabby is often sighted before buildings under construction, where it draws attention to contractors who use non-union labor. Other groups have used the rat as well. Last year the AFL-CIO decided to phase Scabby into retirement last year and hopefully he’s enjoying his pension.