Sign's 'Grabby' Donald Trump Message Sparks Petition to Shut Down Indiana Bar

Griffith, Indiana, might have two landmarks listed in the National Register of Historic Places, but those buildings probably don't receive the kind of attention that the sign outside the Griffith Town Tap does.

An inflammatory, pro-Donald Trump political message on the bar's outdoor sign had to be pulled down again after creating a fuss in the northwest Indiana town. This time, however, the message has spurred an online push to shut down the watering hole.

Last week, the sign's message read, "Vote Trump Grab Them By The P----," alluding to a 2005 comment the Republican presidential candidate made during an "Access Hollywood" interview that was leaked recently to the media. Michelle Creech, the owner of the Griffith Town Tap and a staunch Trump supporter, also has posted updates to her Facebook page containing memes, jokes and other subject matter referring to Trump's comment since it became public.

The language, as well as the message's content — which some believed made fun of and even validated sexual assault — upset some residents and others on social media. Griffith's council president asked the bar to change the sign, according to NBC 5 Chicago. The president characterized the message as "distasteful" and told the TV station that it shouldn't be seen as a reflection of the town.

The business complied with the request. Mostly.

That change, though, didn't stop Emily Hobson, an area resident and sexual assault victim, from launching an online petition to shut down the Griffith Town Tap. As of Monday morning, the campaign — which also is trying to shut down another town bar Creech owns — was approaching its goal of 3,000 supporters with more than 2,800 people electronically signing the Care2 petition.

The Griffith Town Tap also isn't off the hook with the town council. Griffith's lawyers are looking into whether the bar's sign and message violated any regulations, NBC 5 Chicago reports. Those findings are expected to be discussed during the council's Tuesday meeting, and Hobson and other petition supporters plan to attend, the report added.

This is the second time the drinking establishment's sign has needed to be changed because of a message's political content. In March, Creech switched the sign's message from "Vote For Trump Blue Lives Matter" to "Vote For Trump Black Olives Matter" after Griffith police contacted her about online threats directed at the bar, according to the Post-Tribune of Northwest Indiana.

More via NBC 5 Chicago

The online petition to shut down Griffith Town Tap that was started after the bar posted an inflammatory message on its outdoor sign. (screen shot via Emily Hobson's Care 2 petition)

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