Earlier this week we reported that the City of Manitowoc made a change to their Municipal Code in response to a vulgar sign on Memorial Drive. The Mayor’s Office reached out to us to explain that the information we had received was incorrect.
The section of the Municipal Code related to signage was changed well before that sign was posted, and was not in response to it.
We also spoke with the individual who made the sign, known as Bob.
First impressions would show you that Bob is very enthusiastic about the United States of America and passionate about his conservative politics. The display of signs on Memorial Drive reflects his conservative spin on politics with signs criticizing Twitter, criticizing the Biden administration, and supporting Donald Trump and US Senator Ron Johnson.
Last week, one of these political signs may have crossed the lines of decency with the use of a vulgar word. Bob pointed out the same phrase is being chanted at college sporting events across the nation and was also chanted recently at the Ryder Cup Golf Tournament in Sheboygan.
Bob will tell you that the sign in question was removed and is being repainted with a softer tone. we were offered a preview of the repainted sign and noted the “U” was replaced by an * (asterisk). Bob also believes that these political signs are protected by his 1st Amendment right to free speech.
Bob went on to say the signs are a display showing his dissatisfaction with the sad state of American politics and that if “you don’t speak up now it means you are supporting the administration.”
