The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects freedom of expression, no matter how offensive, from government interference.

With that in mind, Louis Brandeis, the first Jew to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, uttered the famous quote that still resonates today: "The remedy for bad speech is more speech."

For those offended by murals painted on the outside walls of Brahim "Abe" Ayad's East 55th Street deli, "more speech" might be the only recourse.

Ayad, 37, a Palestinian-American who owns Grandpa's Kitchen, has had dozens of controversial images painted on his business establishment over the last few years. Public officials and Jewish Clevelanders say these murals are blatantly offensive and antisemitic.

The newest signs, painted over the spring and summer at the deli, include a group of skullcap-wearing Jews counting money at a table while Jesus hangs on a cross above them, and a supposed talmudic endorsement of pedophilia. In the latter, a Jewish priest holds a small boy in his arms. The priest is quoted as saying, "Silly man, this is not my son, he's my wife." Below this is an alleged line from the Talmud. "Like the tear comes to the eye again and again so does ... virginity to a child under 3 years and 1 day."

Above this mural is contact information for Cong. Stephanie Tubbs Jones for those seeking reparations from Israel. The congresswoman's image has also unflatteringly appeared on past murals. Ayad was angry she never followed up on a letter she sent him over two years ago, claiming she would help him get back his father's land.

Another new sign shows Hitler with the Star of David branded into his upraised and bleeding hand. A larger Star of David superimposed with a swastika is painted to the right of this image.

In the past, Ayad's signs have portrayed Jews as monkeys and pigs, and repeated canards such as Jews control the media and Jews were behind the 9/11 terror attacks. The first signs appeared on a car wash Ayad owned at E. 55th and Cedar. The images were painted over after the City Mission bought the building.

Ayad, a father of eight who lives in North Olmstead, has said he does not support violence against Jews. The murals, he notes, are a protest against "evil-doing Zionists" who, among other offenses, he claims, took away his Palestinian father's land to make way for the state of Israel...