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By: Bob Otto
In a last-minute legal victory, supporters of former President Donald Trump in upstate New York can now display a massive 100-foot-wide “Vote for Trump” sign, despite efforts by local authorities to block it, as reported by the NY Post.
Anthony Constantino, CEO of Sticker Mule and a key backer of Trump, received the court’s go-ahead just hours before a planned rally to unveil the illuminated sign atop his company’s building in Amsterdam, New York.
“We are all set to light it up!” Constantino shared in a text to the NY Post, following a ruling that lifted the ban on the sign, which had been issued earlier in the day by Montgomery County Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Slezak. The temporary restraining order was overturned after a hearing that concluded around 5:30 p.m., just in time for the event scheduled for 7 p.m.
The city of Amsterdam, a small municipality of about 18,000 residents located 35 miles northwest of Albany, had argued that the sign violated local regulations and posed a safety risk. City lawyers claimed it could distract drivers and disrupt traffic. The initial court order had barred the sign from being illuminated until a scheduled hearing on Tuesday morning. However, the judge reversed her earlier decision, allowing Constantino to proceed with his plans.
Sal Ferlazzo, Constantino’s attorney and general counsel for Sticker Mule, confirmed to the NY Post that the judge found the sign to be a safe distance from highways and did not present a danger. “All I know is tonight the party is on, and there is no court order prohibiting the lighting and display of the sign,” Ferlazzo said, calling it “a nice victory for Anthony and his team.”
Amsterdam’s lawyers now have until October 18 to refile their arguments, following the judge’s finding of clerical errors in their documents. Meanwhile, Constantino moved forward with the rally, which he estimated would attract thousands of supporters. The event featured speeches from Republican figures, including activist Joe Pinion, as well as appearances from MMA fighter Tracy Cortez and former UFC champions Kelvin Gastelum and Henry Cejudo.
The dispute between Constantino and the city escalated when a city code enforcement officer observed a covered sign at Sticker Mule’s building on October 1. According to court filings cited by the NY Post, the city quickly issued a violation notice, accusing the company of breaching zoning rules against rooftop signs and exceeding size limitations. The city’s lawsuit argued that the “Vote for Trump” sign could lead to dangerous distractions on nearby roads, such as Route 5 and Route 90, and could potentially prompt drivers to stop for photos, increasing the risk of accidents.
Constantino dismissed the city’s safety concerns, calling them “a ridiculous argument by a Democratic politician.” He argued that large signs and landmarks are common across the country without incident. “People like beautiful signs, they are all over the country, and people know how to drive cars,” he told the NY Post.
Initially, Constantino intended the sign as a nod to Trump’s message about bringing manufacturing jobs back to America and representing the spirit of overcoming challenges. But as legal battles unfolded, he believes the sign has taken on a broader significance as a symbol of free speech. “Democrats want to get rid of free speech and censor America, and so the sign now signifies something even bigger than what I thought,” Constantino said.
