‘A massive “Vote for Trump” banner placed atop a building in upstate New York by a CEO supportive of the MAGA movement has led to legal challenges from municipal authorities.
Sticker Mule, led by Anthony Constantino and renowned for its custom stickers globally, adorned the former Fownes glove factory in Amsterdam with the 100-foot sign. This move was meant to honor American manufacturing and celebrate “the triumph of the underdog against insurmountable adversity,” according to what he shared with Fox News.
“Let’s all Make America Great, Healthy and Happy Again!” he announced on X about the sign’s imminent illumination event.
The city’s complaint, as reported by the Post Millennial, accuses Sticker Mule’s Sticker PAC of code violations and warns of potential fines for non-compliance.
The complaint points out that the Sticker PAC didn’t secure a permit for the oversized sign, which “exceeds the maximum height in the light zoning district.”
Officials have demanded the “newly constructed, nonconforming sign must be removed immediately within 48 hours” to avoid daily fines of up to $1,000, starting 30 days post-citation.
Constantino, reflecting on the past, mentioned to Fox News, “Fownes was a glove manufacturer that left my hometown when I was 2 years old in 1984,” highlighting Amsterdam’s economic downturn post-factory closure. He noted, “This Fownes sign for years symbolized American manufacturing going to China.”
Legal documents highlighted concerns from city officials that the illuminated sign could “presents a dangerous distraction and impacts traffic flow.” An injunction to remove the sign has been sought by Amsterdam from the New York state’s Supreme Court.
Sal Ferlazzo, representing Sticker Mule, criticized the city’s stance, stating, “The affidavit claims, without evidence, that the city will suffer irreparable harm because the sign is a dangerous distraction for drivers due to its novelty and the fear that people will stop to take pictures of it.” He added that the city’s unilateral action led to a preliminary injunction without a chance for a rebuttal.
According to a court mandate, the company is to avoid “displaying any sign and/or illumination of any sign on the roof of 26 Elk Street” pending the next court hearing this Tuesday, coincidentally the day after the sign’s planned lighting.
Despite the legal impediment, Constantino remains optimistic, ensuring the event will proceed. “It’s going to be a unifying event. I’m inviting Democrats and Republicans alike to come watch me unveil the sign. We don’t want all the division going on in this country anymore,” he declared.
Expressing frustration, Constantino voiced, “I think it’s deeply disturbing,” in reference to the municipal crackdown. He highlighted his contribution of nearly a thousand jobs to revitalize his once-struggling hometown.
Amsterdam’s Mayor Mike Cinquanti, a Democrat, acknowledged the legal process, stating, “They’ve been cited, and we’ll just let that play out as we would with any code violation.” He emphasized his concern was not political but focused on driver safety. “Any sign that represents a hazard to the safety of drivers concerns me,” he remarked, underscoring his commitment to addressing potential safety hazards.
Yet, Constantino on X contested, “Only highly partisan and short-sighted politicians would take issue with it,” underscoring the political tension surrounding the sign.
