Landowner: 1st Amendment 'TRUMPs' Zoning Rules

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LOTHIAN, MD — A pro-Donald Trump sign a Lothian landowner has erected on his barn roof is protected political speech, argues the man who posted the campaign shout-out.

But Anne Arundel County zoning officials disagree, saying the sign for the frontrunner in the race for the Republican party’s presidential nomination clearly violates local ordinance.

David Riggs says that the county will have to incarcerate him if they want the simple sign that reads “TRUMP” in red letters on a white background to come down. It doesn’t even say “Vote for Trump.”

Riggs says he is peacefully fighting for his First Amendment rights, which allow people to disagree on politics.

“I have the right on my own property to voice my own opinion as long as I don’t harm anybody,” he said. “You don’t have to agree with me.”

Riggs says the country needs to be unified, and Trump may be that person as an outsider to government institutions.

»See the Capital-Gazette’s video interview with Riggs here.

County code says residents need a permit for any sign that attached to the roof of a building. But Riggs says it should be viewed as a temporary sign similar to campaign yard signs, which are exempt from zoning laws.

Trump has a roughly 15 percent lead nationally over Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Ohio Gov. John Kasich, according to recent polls by Real Clear Politics.

The New York businessman has drawn criticism from Democrats and other Republicans for recent campaign events marked with protests, name calling and even violence. Roughly two weeks ago, violence erupted at a Trump rally in Chicago that led to its cancellation for security purposes. Demonstrators in the Phoenix area shut down a road leading to a Trump rally on Saturday.

At a March 14 appearance with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie in North Carolina, Trump said there’s “no violence” at his rallies.

“Do you know how many people have been hurt at our rallies?” Trump said. “I think, like, basically none.”

North Carolina investigators considered charging him with inciting a riot after a protester was sucker-punched by a Trump supporter at a rally there, but declined to press charges.

Trump alluded to the sucker-punch, saying, “Other than I guess maybe somebody got hit once.”

“But, there's no violence,” he added.

»Photo by Gage Skidmore via Flickr / Creative Commons