A resident in Hanson, Massachusetts, has found themselves in hot water for projecting a “Trump 2024” message onto a town water tower. Local officials quickly responded, issuing a cease-and-desist order ahead of the upcoming November election, where former President Donald Trump will be running against Vice President Kamala Harris.
Town Administrator Lisa Green stated that the projection, discovered on October 11, raised alarms that it might mislead the public into thinking the town endorsed the candidate. “This misleads the public into believing that this activity is sanctioned by or condoned by the town,” Green explained.
The identity of the resident remains under wraps, but they’ve been slapped with a $100 daily fine that will continue until the display is removed. In response, the town’s Highway Department has opted to shine a spotlight on the tower at night in an attempt to obscure the projection.
As fines pile up, concerns are growing that the costs of handling the situation could far exceed what the fines would cover, including potential legal and overtime expenses for staff. This scenario has sparked a conversation about free speech and the limits of political messaging on public property, an issue likely to ignite further debate as the election draws closer.
This isn’t the first time political displays have stirred up controversy. Just last week, a massive glowing “VOTE FOR TRUMP” sign was unveiled in Amsterdam, New York, atop the headquarters of Sticker Mule, a local printing company. This sign has also become a focal point in discussions about free speech and local zoning regulations.
CEO Anthony Constantino, a supporter of Trump, argued that the sign represents free speech and unity. However, the city’s Democratic mayor, Michael Cinquanti, insists that the sign violates city codes, which mandate that signs on businesses must be related to their services. Amsterdam has since pursued legal action against Sticker Mule to reinforce this position.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.