On January 27, a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Detroit awarded attorneys’ fees of $103,401.96 to the plaintiffs in Saieg v City of Dearborn. The issue had been whether the city could ban leafleting on public sidewalks during the Arab International Festival, a large annual event that usually attracts 250,000 people. The 6th circuit had ruled on May 26, 2011 that the city’s ban on letting individuals hand out leaflets on the public sidewalks at or near the event is unconstitutional. The 6th circuit was 2-1, and the city did not appeal.

The plaintiffs had wanted to hand out leaflets that attempt to persuade Arabs who are not already Christian to consider becoming Christian. The city had said the plaintiffs were free to have a booth at the festival, but the plaintiffs found that unsatisfactory because they said social pressure at the festival prevented the vast majority of Muslim attendees from approaching the booth. Thanks to Eric Dondero for this news.