DOUGLAS, Mich. — There is a lot of talk about chalk in Douglas.

Prominent chalk writings on public sidewalks in the Allegan County city are spurring debate over when city laws can supersede free speech.

It is a topic on the agenda at a Douglas City Council meeting on Monday night.

Since late August, members of Good Trouble Indivisible, a local political organization, have gathered to write messages in chalk on sidewalks in downtown Douglas and the bridge connecting to Saugatuck.

“It's a great way to get out our messaging, and we have lots of tourism here,” said Jan Cohen, the group’s founder. “So, it's a good way to reach a lot of people that we otherwise probably wouldn't reach.”

Cohen says she has consulted with lawyers and city officials about the writings. She believes her group i

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