.Oakland City Attorney Says A’s Sign Ban Is Illegal

Oakland City Attorney John Russo says the Oakland’s A’s decision to ban signs that criticize team co-owner Lew Wolff is unconstitutional, because it infringes on the free speech rights of fans. Russo made the statement in a letter to Oakland Police Chief Anthony Batts, warning him that police officers should not help A’s security eject fans that bring in hand-made signs critical of Wolff. Russo was referring to the A’s decision to eject A’s fan Jorge Leon from the coliseum for his signs — one of which read: “Lew Wolff hates Oakland.” The other stated “Lew Wolff lied, he never tried.”