A 100-foot-tall “Vote for Trump” sign now lights up part of the city's skyline in upstate New York after a judge canceled a posting injunction.
Sticker Mule CEO Anthony ConstantinoThe judges, who installed signs on the repurposed Foundes Glove Factory building in Amsterdam, New York, hailed the judge's order as an “epic victory for free speech.” The city's Democratic mayor last week sought a court order to cover up the sign, saying it violates city ordinances.
Constantino hosted an event on Monday to celebrate the first lighting of signs expressing support for former President Trump, the Republican presidential candidate. He told Fox News Digital that there were “probably about 3,000 people” in attendance, including UFC star Henry Cejudo.
“It exceeded our expectations,” Constantino said. “We didn't know what to expect. Everyone loved the event and there were so many smiles. There were Democrats and Republicans there, but everyone was really happy with what we were doing. I was there.”
New York company unveils 100-foot-tall “Vote for Trump” sign, sued by Democratic mayor
Sticker Mule CEO Anthony Constantino speaks at an event to unveil a 100-foot “Vote for Trump” sign in Amsterdam, New York (Paul Antonelli)
The CEO said it was unclear until 30 minutes before Monday's event whether the sign would be removed.
City officials, including Democratic Mayor Michael Cinquanti, said the sign violates the ordinance because it “dangerously diverts attention and impacts traffic flow,” especially when illuminated at night. said.
Code enforcement officials said in court documents that Sticker Mule was informed in August that it would need a permit and several conditions to install the sign, but the company had until Oct. 1, when the sign would be installed, to install the sign. He claimed that there was no response.
The city initially succeeded in obtaining a temporary restraining order prohibiting the “display” or “illumination” of the sign. But as of Monday afternoon, Constantino's attorneys had persuaded state Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Slezak to lift the injunction, according to a court order shared with FOX News Digital.
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“Vote for Trump” sign at 26 Elk Street in Amsterdam, New York (@Sticker Mule/Instagram)
Sticker Mule's attorney, Sal Ferlazzo, told Fox News Digital: “The judge lacks jurisdiction to continue the restraining order because the opening documents did not meet the standards necessary to bring a lawsuit in New York State. I have made a judgment,'' he said. “Furthermore, she found that the city had not raised any safety concerns regarding the construction of the sign or its visibility from public streets.”
Constantino defended the sign as an expression of free speech and said his company has the right to express its political views.
“President Trump has done some really great things. He's a great human being. He's done great things for the world. And he doesn't deserve all the hate that's being thrown at him, and his supporters don't deserve it either. ” he said.
Cinquanti did not respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. The mayor denied allegations of political bias over the pro-Trump signs, saying they could be a dangerous distraction for drivers in prominent locations around the city and on New York state highways.
For now, the sign will remain.
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Sticker Mule CEO Anthony Constantino speaks at an event in New York. (Paul Antonelli)
“The city code part is still outstanding, and regardless of what happens in court, it will likely still be in a dynamic and changing environment,” said Lt. Joseph Spencer, a spokesman for the Amsterdam Police Department. He spoke to the Daily Gazette Family newspaper.. “I see it every time a lawyer gives me suboptimal guidance.”
Constantino told Fox News Digital that he hopes his “Vote for Trump” sign becomes “some kind of landmark” for the fight for free speech in Amsterdam. The CEO doesn't know what will happen next in the case involving his signature “I leave all legal matters to the lawyers,” but he predicted that his team will ultimately prevail.
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As for the future of the billboard, Constantino indicated that it will remain a permanent fixture in Amsterdam after the election.
“We put up a sign. We thought it was going to be a temporary sign. But based on the response we got and the negative feedback that came out…we decided to talk to local politicians about what's going on locally. Based on what happened, the outpouring of love for the sign, and the outpouring, I now want to keep my love for President Trump forever.”
