A free speech dispute over a New England town's pastry shop painting heads to trial


A free speech dispute over a New England town

Updated 12:03 AM GMT+5, February 14, 2025 CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A First Amendment dispute over a bright painting that shows sunbeams shining down on a mountain range made of sprinkle-covered chocolate and strawberry doughnuts, a blueberry muffin, a cinnamon roll and other pastries is headed to trial. A federal judge in New Hampshire will consider whether a town is infringing on the free speech rights of the bakery owner who’s displaying the mural over his business. “I think the whole town is following this story,” said Sean Young, the owner of Leavitt’s Country Bakery in Conway, a community of more than 10,000 people near the White Mountains that draws skiers, nature lovers and shoppers. Some residents want regulations enforced as they worry about overdevelopment in the tourist town.