Is this censorship?

[exitseven]

A Trump supporter is projecting a Trump sign on the local water tower. The democrat governor has rented several spotlights to drown out this image. The spotlights run on gasoline and there are two DPW workers on site that are getting overtime pay. The person that is responsible is doing it from his own property and the water tower is public property. Is the governor denying the homeowner's First Amendment rights?

There is nothing preventing somebody from projecting a Harris sign on the tower.

Yes they are censoring a private citizen

No, they are just silencing a dissenter.

Updates

1 y

https://i.imgur.com/j2oLjOY.jpg

[WindAtMyBack]

I would call it censorship. But censorship is not automatically bad or wrong. Free speech does not mean you can say anything you want, any time you want, any place you want. There are restrictions, and always have been.

This particular case is an odd case that I haven't heard of before. But is this so different than a law against tagging or graffiti? The guy is using somebody else's property to send his message, without their permission. That is NOT alright. He can project it on his own property, but even that can potentially, and rightfully, have restrictions. He can project on someone else's property if he has their permission, again with potential restrictions.

Here at Gag, there is censorship. But it is a private site, and nobody has a right to post anything without the site's permission.

Freedom of speech, or the press, or religion, do not mean anyone else has to provide the means to carry out those rights. If they refuse to provide the means, it does not violate your freedoms in any way.

You can stand on the soapbox and give your speech. But nobody is required to provide that soapbox for you. Nor can you give your speech in the middle of the night in a residential neighborhood blasting it though hundred watt Marshal amplifiers.

[BadApple69]

It’s obvious that what he is doing isn’t breaking the law or they would just go threaten him with fines or jail time.
That’s why they try to stop him with lights…. The people of the town should be pissed about their tax dollars being wasted trying to stop this guy!

[exitseven]

They can fine him a maximum of $100/ day. The citizens are angry about spending taxpayer money to censor this. The irony is that all the local TV stations have picked up the story so Trump is getting thousands of dollars in free advertising. I would not be surprised if national news picks it up as well.

[BadApple69]

I think he could fight those fines…. What’s the crime? Projecting light?
For there to be fines there needs to be a violation of some kind. Not just “we don’t like it so we will fine you”.

[Ez-Bri-Z_v2]

I mean, technically is the governor not also displaying his first amendment right to also project something on that water tower even if it happens to drown out the Trump one? If anything, isn't the Trump supporter circumventing their advertising revenue by not buying advertising space like everyone else has to do?

Always multiple ways to look at it.

[exitseven]

Is it okay to get signal jammer and jam your local radio station because they broadcast conservative talk radio?
The town does not sell advertising space on the tower. A harris supporter could get a projector and put a harris sign on it.

[Dongie]

It's the reasoning behind the dickhead gov technically speaking.

[TrueConfection]

At the very least, it's a misuse of taxpayer money.

I wonder if I can project a TRUMP 2024 sign on my liberal neighbor's house. His headlights shine on my house every morning at 4am while he warms up his truck for a good 30 minutes. It seems fair to me! 🇺🇸

[exitseven]

I can hook you up with a projector. It will be fun.

[TrueConfection]

Yeah, he comes unhinged once or twice per year. I don't trust him.

[TrueConfection]

If the guy was projecting a LGBTXYZ flag, the democrats would think he's a hero. They wouldn't dare try to stop him.

[exitseven]

Yes, it is a democrat town official that all of a sudden decided that it was not appropriate. There will be a rally at a supermarket parking lot in the town this weekend and I may hitch up my trailer with the big Trump sign on it a take a ride over.

[TrueConfection]

Nice!!! 💕🇺🇸 🇺🇸🇺🇸 💕

[TrueConfection]

Thank you for the MHO ❤

[Tamera952]

::Eyeroll:: Oh pleasssssee…

[Lliam]

If the governor is using government funds for the spotlights and using public property to do so, then I think it's a violation of the first amendment.

If the governor or another private citizen used their own money and private property, then they would have the same right to do so as the person shining the Trump sign.

[exitseven]

Yes, the local TV station interviewed a couple of taxpayers and they were upset that tax dollars were being spent this way. The towns lawyer is going to send him a cease and desist order and he can get a maximun fine on $100/day. That is about 2 grand so either the RNC or a Go Fundme page will pick up the tab,

[Abbycado]

But it isn’t public property. Here is what you are leaving out.

”Officials said the town of Hanson does not endorse candidates, nor does it allow political signs to be displayed on municipal property.”

So no, he is not free to do that without the permission of the town (won’t get it) anymore than he is allowed to shine it on someone else’s property that does not give permission.

[exitseven]

it is public property. does the town have the right to prohibit the used of the atmosphere to carry a light beam from a private residence?

[Abbycado]

It isn’t public. It is a municipal building and they have laws (as stated) that prohibit against campaigning using municipal buildings and property like most cities do. Are you against the law of that town?

[Abbycado]

They clearly stated in the press release that it doesn’t matter who the candidate is, it’s prohibited. I guess the other side respects the local laws and ordinances.

[exitseven]

are they really laws or is this a policy that a democrat town employee made up because it helps President Trump?

[Tamera952]

Are you really this retarded?

[slatyb]

The citizen doesn't have permission to use the water tower in that way.

[exitseven]

He is using the projector on his property. It is a light beam going through the air and landing on public property. I bet it it said Harris 2024 there would not be a peep.

[slatyb]

And the owners of the water tower have the option to erase his message.

[RedInnocent69]

Neither. The water tower is a public site. It’s not allowed to be used for political advertisement.

[exitseven]

The guy is a taxpayer. He owns the tower.

[RedInnocent69]

If it’s his tower, it’s fair game. I’d be interested what by-law or justification the local officials had.

[Gwendoline]

Seems a waste of taxpayer money. Don't think politicians should be allowed to use public money for political capital like that.

[RavVid]

I would have thought it is indeed rather pathetic Left wing thought suppression. Can't speak to your 1st amendment.

[AviatorTom]

The governor is restricting the person's speech, which violates the first amendment.

[NaultD]

It's kinda like getting a fee from the water company $1 to kamala harris campaign.

The guys using it like a billboard advertisement. Advertisement also have rules behind them.

[Anonymous]

censorship is always the first step to dismantling democracy. never forget that

[DrPepper12]

It's a public nuisance. He does not have permission. It gives the illusion of Government support when on public property.

It's the communitys rights that are being violated, not his.

[Dargil]

Wasting taxpayer money without their or legislative consent.

[Jamie05rhs]

I'm sorry, but he shouldn't be allowed to project anything onto a public building (or structure).

[Hispanic-Cool-Guy]

I'm not sure. Totally depends what your state and local law says.

If there's no law regarding such act then it censorship.

[jshm2]

No. It's two stupid people playing games.

[Gauoda_]

@jshm2 More stupid people are below 🤣

[Wiredone]

Yes they are

[Anonymous]

This is hilarious.

[Anonymous]

That is freaking hilarious, lol.

[Anonymous]

Yes.

[Dongie]

Yes.