Hundreds of supporters of former President Donald Trump gathered outside Sticker Mule in Amsterdam on Monday evening as the CEO of the business moved forward with lighting up a "Vote for Trump" sign and a restraining order in the case was lifted.
Sticker Mule CEO Anthony Constantino earlier this month built the large pro-Trump electric sign on top of a building on Elk Street, which houses his printing business, despite warnings from the city that it violated code.
According to court documents, the city said the 12-foot-by-100 sign was a dangerous distraction that would impact traffic flow. Citing public safety concerns and code violations, the city took action to have the sign covered.
City officials said the sign did not comply with permit requirements, and Sticker Mule never applied for a variance. But the restraining order put in place by a New York State Supreme Court judge was lifted just before crowds started forming for a rally in support of the sign at around 6 p.m. Monday, Constantino said.
“I’m not going to jail, and we’re lighting the sign,” Constantino triumphantly told the crowd before turning it on. Court documents state failure to comply with the notice of code violations could lead to a fine, up to a year in jail or both.
Constantino had called the action by the city "election interference." He called the sign a piece of art designed by local artists and crafted by area builders.