A New Jersey man was told that the Donald Trump flag he was flying outside of his house was illegal, and that he could be fined $2,000 and face jail time if he didn’t take it down.
He’s not taking it down.
“I have the right to express myself,” said Joseph Hornick, a retired firefighter, according to NJ.com.
Hornick’s flag has been repeatedly vandalized, and when he first called the cops to report the crimes, they surprised him with a ticket instead.
In New Jersey, it’s illegal to display political messages on your lawn more than 30 days before an election. The primary in New Jersey takes place on June 7th.
Hornick said that a flag was distinct from a lawn sign, and was closer to a sports flag. The borough attorney disagrees, interpreting the flag as a lawn sign under existing ordinances.
After consulting with a lawyer, Hornick has decided to keep the flag up, and will face a judge in municipal court on April 20. He said he’s not taking them down even if the judge orders him to, and he won’t be deterred by acts of vandalism.
“I don’t care if I have to buy 1,000 Trump flags. I will keep putting them up,” he said. “I don’t care if I have to hire a Marine to keep guard, I will keep putting them up.”
