A 100-foot-wide “Vote for Trump” sign in upstate New York is causing controversy with what the city of Amsterdam claims is a massive and clear code violation.
Sticker Mule CEO Anthony Constantino He told Fox News Digital that he placed the sign on the roof of the old Founds Glove Factory to symbolize the resurgence of American manufacturing and what he called “the victory of the underdog over insurmountable adversity.” .
“I think that's what President Trump did. He won against great adversity, and he's still doing it even with bullets flying in his head,” Constantino said. “And we won, too. No one thought we could build a big sticker company or a big technology company in upstate New York.”
But his company is currently facing setbacks in the form of a lawsuit from the city of Amsterdam to prevent it from “displaying” and “illuminating” pro-Trump signs visible from New York State highways.
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Sticker Mule installs 100-foot-tall “Vote for Trump” sign on tallest building in Amsterdam, New York (Sticker Mule)
According to court documents, the sign violates city ordinances because it “creates a dangerous distraction and impacts traffic flow,” especially when turned on at night. According to local authorities, Sticker Mule was informed in August that a permit and several conditions would be required to install the sign, but the company received no response until October 1, when the sign was to be installed. It is said that
Constantino and his legal team are contesting the city's claims. The CEO believes the Democratic-backed independent mayor of Amsterdam is anti-Trump and has vowed to fight a temporary restraining order to cover up the sign. Amsterdam Mayor Michael Cinquanti did not respond to a request for comment.
Wearing a black T-shirt with the words “Trump for Peace” written on it, Constantino described Sticker Mule as “the fastest-growing Internet printing company” with 1,200 employees in 39 countries. do. His online business started by making stickers, but has since expanded to printing t-shirts, buttons, and magnets, and he also runs his own online store platform, Sticker Mule Stores. He is proud that Sticker Mule has created nearly 1,000 manufacturing jobs in the United States over the past few years.
“I like to move fast and do interesting things,” Constantino told FOX News Digital. His success in business gave him the means to reinvest in his hometown of Amsterdam. Founds' factory was one of several buildings he purchased, restored, and filled with machinery and workers.
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Sticker Mule CEO Anthony Constantino speaks at an event in New York. (Paul Antonelli)
“Founds is a glove manufacturer that left my hometown in 1984, when I was two years old,” he said, noting that the factory with the iconic “Founds” sign closed and Amsterdam was “devastated” by unemployment. He explained.
“This Founds sign has long been a symbol of American manufacturing going to China,” Constantino said. Now, a $150,000 “Vote for Trump” sign is in its place, heralding a new era for American manufacturing jobs.
Constantino said the can't-miss sign generated “huge interest.” To commemorate its installation, his political action committee, Sticker PAC, will host a “Trump Sign Lighting Party” on Oct. 7 at 6 p.m. UFC superstar Henry Cejudo, Kelvin Gastelum and Tracy Cortez will join Constantino in speaking and support the “historic event.”
Rep. Elise Stefanik, RN.Y., chair of the House Republican Conference, will also speak at the event, according to Constantino's representative. Stefanik's office did not respond to a request for comment.
“Enthusiasm is through the roof. Three UFC superstars have asked to come see us. Some want to come from all over New York state, some want to fly or drive.'' The sign lights up. People really came from all over the country to see it done,” Constantino said.
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A “Vote for Trump” sign in Amsterdam, New York, has been covered up following a court injunction. (Paul Antonelli)
However, the festival may be canceled due to legal action from Amsterdam. On Oct. 3, city code enforcement officials sent Sticker Mule a violation notice and gave the company two days to remove the “Vote for Trump” sign. The city also asked the New York State Supreme Court to block the posting of the sign.
Sal Ferlazzo, Sticker's general counsel, said in a statement that “the affidavit is unsubstantiated and that the sign is a dangerous distraction for motorists due to its novelty and the risk that people will stop to take photos. They argue that the city will suffer irreparable harm.” Mule. “The court initially granted the preliminary injunction and restraining order based solely on the City’s motion and without giving me an opportunity to respond.”
A hearing is scheduled for Oct. 8 at 10 a.m., and until then, the court will order Sticker Mule to “not post any signs or illuminate any signs on the roof of 26 Elk Street.” I ordered him to refrain.
On the advice of a lawyer, Sticker Mule complied with a court order and temporarily covered up its pro-Trump sign.
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Illuminated “Vote for Trump” sign at 26 Elk Street in Amsterdam, New York (@stickermule | Instagram)
“I think it's very concerning,” Constantino said of the city's actions. “I brought nearly 1,000 jobs to my hometown, which was devastated when Founds and other companies left, and I want to do something positive and exciting for our community. That's what I'm trying to do.
He suggested that Mayor Cinquanti was suffering from “TDS” (Trump Derangement Syndrome) and was fighting the billboard for political reasons.
“They know they are in violation,” Cinquanti told the Daily Gazette. “They have been cited, and like any other code violation, we will leave them alone.”
The mayor previously called President Trump his least favorite president in American history, but insisted the city's opposition to the signs was about safety, not politics, according to the paper.
“We don't care what the signs say, but we need to look at distracting drivers on the highway, and that's what we're doing,” he told the outlet. .
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“Any sign of a threat to driver safety is a concern to me,” he added. “Anyone who violates city ordinances is a problem that we deal with, and we're in the process of addressing that and trying to mitigate what I think is a danger.”
Constantino said that despite the city's objections, Monday's event will continue as scheduled and will “feature UFC superstars, free fish filets, a Cybertruck, and a beautiful Trump sign.”
“This sign is a beautiful sign, whether you're a Democrat or a Republican. This sign is a big win for upstate New York and a big win for Amsterdam, New York. A beautiful and uplifting sign. And I think it's going to be a major tourist attraction, especially if Trump wins,'' Constantino said.
“This is going to be a unifying event. I invite Democrats and Republicans alike to come and watch me unveil the sign. We don't want any more division in this country. I don’t want it.”
