Amsterdam business owner defies city code with lit ‘Vote for Trump’ sign

AMSTERDAM, N.Y. (WRGB) — A prominent local business owner in Amsterdam is causing quite a stir with a massive political sign.

While political signs are nothing new during the election season, Anthony Constantino, CEO of Sticker Mule, is making national headlines with a ‘Vote for Trump’ sign despite it raising some red flags with code enforcement.

The sign sits atop the Fownes building at 26 Elk Street and is visible from the New York State Thruway. City officials say the sign lit up violates city code because it’s distracting to drivers.

Hundreds gathered at the former Fownes building Monday night for a rally Constantino hosted where they showed support for the sign and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

“Our mayor, who served me with a restraining order, demanding I take down the beautiful sign that is up there, and believe it or not, threatened to throw me in jail,” Constantino said to the crowd.

Last week, Mayor Michael Cinquanti told CBS 6 that a Sticker Mule representative approached the city in early August and asked about putting the sign up.

While the sign did not comply with a permit requirement, the city told Sticker Mule they could apply for a variance.

Mayor Cinquanti, a democrat, says the city didn’t hear from Sticker Mule until the sign went up on October 1st. After the restraining order was filed last week, the ‘Vote for Trump’ sign was temporarily covered.

Constantino defended the sign, claiming it was within his rights to express political views and that the sign complies with free speech protections.

“I didn’t know what was going to happen tonight. I spent my day, to my surprise, talking to friends and family and UFC superstars asking what to do. To my surprise, they all said go for it. Light the sign and spend a few days in jail,” said Constantino.

“At the last moment, [my lawyer] fixed everything. I’m not going to jail and we’re gonna light the sign,” he went on to say.

The ‘Vote for Trump’ sign was lit around 7: 15 p.m. Monday.

“It’s a massive victory. We’re going to keep the sign up, the sign is a beautiful sign. Our lawyer is going to take it to the court,” said Constantino.

In regards to the restraining order, the company claims “the motion for a temporary restraining order is vacated in full. We moved to vacate it and they granted the motion.”

CBS 6 is still waiting to get the claims Sticker Mules i making about the court motion verified by officials.

The company also said that a court hearing scheduled for Tuesday on the matter is no longer happening.

CBS 6 reached out to the mayor for comment, but we have not heard back.