KISSIMMEE, Fla. — You see them on many streets; human billboards waving signs to get your attention. Many of them even dress in costumes, but not in the city of Kissimmee. The city doesn't allow human billboards and now business owners are now being ordered to figure out another way to advertise.
One of the country's most recognizable icons stands tall on the streets of Kissimmee, but the human replica of the Statue of Liberty's welcome isn't welcome to some city leaders.
"This is just another distraction and it doesn't present itself well," Kissimmee Commissioner Jerry Gemskie said.
But to Liberty Tax Service owner, Ruben De Jesus, it's a clever way to make a buck.
"It's crucial. It's extremely crucial to this business," he explained.
Two-thirds of liberty's marketing budget is spent on paying people minimum wage to stand in front of the shop. However, Kissimmee code enforcement has cited De Jesus four times for violating the city's portable sign ordinance.
"That is a violation of one of our ordinances and we don't take it lightly," Gemskie said.
"As far as I know, a human being isn't a thing or a structure," De Jesus said.
Commissioners said "no" Tuesday night in a three to two vote, when De Jesus asked them to allow human billboards in the city. He plans to take his fight to court.
Eyewitness News found four similar cases in two states: Washington and New Jersey. In all four cases, the courts ruled in favor of the business owners.
"He can continue the fight. That's fine. That's his prerogative, his freedom of speech," Gemskie said.
"Sometimes you have to stand up and fight for what you believe," De Jesus said.
Until De Jesus heads to court, he plans to keep the Statue of Liberty replicas standing in front of his business.
A similar ordinance in Orlando allows human billboards to be used for advertising, but they can't obstruct in the right of way.
De Jesus was told he faces a $150 fine every time he breaks the ordinance.
WFTV
