East Cleveland man sues city over political retaliation

A 74-year-old man named William Fambrough from East Cleveland, Ohio, is facing legal troubles after his van was towed. He believes he was targeted by local police for campaigning against the city's mayor, Brandon L. King. Fambrough supported Juanita Gowdy, a city councilor and critic of Mayor King. He used his van to display advertisements for Gowdy while driving around the neighborhood. However, he has been frequently visited by police for alleged parking violations related to his van. These visits eventually led to his van being towed, disrupting his efforts to promote Gowdy's candidacy before the election. The city's parking ordinance, which Fambrough was cited for, is rarely enforced. A similar van parked nearby did not receive any complaints. Fambrough has also faced a citation for noise pollution, despite having a permit for his promotional activities. He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor, but claims he was told to "mind his own business." Fambrough has filed a lawsuit against East Cleveland, arguing that the city's actions violated his First Amendment rights. He accuses city officials and law enforcement of retaliating against him for his political beliefs. The city, however, defends its actions as lawful and necessary. In a related note, an initiative in Charlotte, North Carolina, aims to help truck drivers with an online tool that maps available parking spaces, reducing illegal parking issues in the area.