A resident in Hanson, Massachusetts, has been hit with a cease-and-desist order and faces a $100-per-day fine for projecting a “Trump 2024” sign onto the town’s municipal water tower. Hanson Town Administrator Lisa Green issued a statement clarifying that the town does not condone or endorse any political candidates and that the projection misleads the public into thinking the display is sanctioned by the town.
The resident, using a projector placed on a storage container in their backyard, has been lighting up the town’s water tower with the political message. In response, the town’s Highway Department attempted to combat the projection by installing floodlights to dim it, but as of Friday night, the “Trump 2024” logo remained visible.
“The Town of Hanson respects free speech and political expression, but not in a way that implies official town endorsement,” Green said according to The New York Post. She emphasized that the actions could incur significant taxpayer costs, including attorney fees, overtime pay for workers adjusting the floodlights, and potentially stronger lighting equipment rentals. The daily fine of $100 may not cover these expenses, the statement added.
Hanson officials reiterated that while political views are respected, the resident’s actions crossed a line by using town property, potentially misleading others to believe the town is aligned with a particular political candidate. The town is exploring further measures to ensure the projection stops.
Gunther Eagleman commented saying: “I’ll cover the costs.”
Wake_Artist commented: “Sounds like a $100 per day advertising fee, cheaper than any highway bulletin board.”
