Michigan Department of Civil Rights officials say a veteran's front-yard sign advertising the sale of his home violates state and federal laws because it calls for "no foreigners."
A column in the Lansing State Journal says James Prater's sign in front of his home in Mason says "Terms No foreigners Iraq vet" next to "For Sale by Owner."
Department spokeswoman Vicki Levengood says the sign violates the federal Fair Housing Act, which prohibits "any notice, statement or advertisement" in real estate transactions that discriminates based on national origin. Levengood says the sign also violates Michigan's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, which has similar protections.
Mason Mayor Russ Whipple says that although the sign hasn't caused significant controversy in the community, the advertisement doesn't represent the city's views.
