Trump-Pence sign sparks controversy after man ordered to remove it

Man says neighbors can fly KKK flag, but city demands he remove sign

Courtesy of WPTV

BOCA RATON, Fla. – A West Boca man is raising questions about the city's code after he was told to remove a Trump-Pence campaign sign but his neighbors were permitted to continue flying a KKK flag.

According to a report from WPTV in West Palm Beach, Michael Bagenstos found a neon notice posted on his political sign saying that he had 10 days to remove it or the city would do it for him.

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According to code enforcement, Bagenstos is in violation of the Unified Land Development Code, which says that campaign signs on private property are permitted, but are to be removed within 10 days after the election date, WPTV reports.

Bagenstos said that he didn't understand why the First Amendment could protect his neighbors' right to fly a flag apparently celebrating the KKK but not protect his right to leave up a campaign sign.

“I think he’s got a strong argument because he’s got a sign expressing a political belief on his own private property. Those are two strikes in his favor,” Jim Green, the attorney for the Palm Beach County Chapter of the ACLU, told WPTV.

Green told WPTV that he's not aware of the specifics of the code, but that the First Amendment protects political expression and sign ordinances fall under First Amendment scrutiny.

The Code Enforcement director said that if Bagenstos wants to keep the sign he will have to change it so it's no longer deemed a campaign sign, and he would need a permit for it, according to WPTV.