Westfield’s ‘Love Trump’s Hate’ Wall Comes Under Fire

WESTFIELD, NJ — It started with one lonely little lawn sign in front of a Westfield home and since bloomed into hundreds of hearts filled with messages of love covering the fence.

The “Love Trump’s Hate” wall began being erected on the corner of Shackamaxon Drive and Rahway Avenue during the Presidential campaign in the summer.

Resident and homeowner Valerie Latona and her family felt the Presidential campaign was very contentious and there was so much hate. The Latona family felt so strongly that they didn’t want to put up a campaign sign for any candidate and opted to put something up based on their family values.

A simple lawn sign stating “Love Trump’s Hate” was erected.

“The sign kind of summed up the election in a nutshell and our family values,” Latona told Patch. “But it was stolen within hours. That’s not cool.”

The Latona family put up another sign on their fence bordering Shackamaxon Drive and that too was stolen. Latona continued to replace the signs and they were repeatedly stolen or vandalized. One was spray painted and another was shot with 40 to 50 air-soft bullets. One sign tied up with wire was cut down by someone using wire clippers.

The continuous vandalism caused an uproar in the Westfield community group on Facebook. Not letting the hate get to the community, neighbors helped organize an event in December and on Valentine’s Day to gather locals and encourage them to post hearts on the fence with messages of love written on them.

This grew to create the “wall” of love.

“To be honest I am an Independent and I vote both Republican and Democrat. I am not happy with the climate in Washington. So when Trump said go ahead with the wall to border Mexico, I said we really need a wall of love. Not just a wall of love for Democrats or Liberals but a wall of love for everybody.”

The response from the community has been mixed as a result of the wall. Some have dropped notes in the Latona’s mailbox that say thank you for the sign. Some notes say it “gives me hope” or “my kids love it.” Even gifts of flowers and bottles of wine have been dropped off for the family.

“I didn’t have any idea one little sign meant so much to people,” Latona said. “It kind of kept us going.”

However, not all of the responses have been positive. Latona noted that some cars driving by will yell obscenities such as “F**k You!” or “Fa**ots!”

Some have even complained to Westfield’s Zoning Department about the “wall.” The department contacted Latona and mentioned she was in violation of two ordinances in town regarding displaying any wording on your property in Westfield aside from the street address.

Latona noted that this could mean anything such as for sale signs, Westfield football signs, graduation signs. “There are signs everywhere,” Latona said.

Latona’s attorney did respond to the zoning department saying the proposed violation was “arbitrary and capricious.” He claimed the town can’t enforce an ordinance on one family or one home and not enforce the same ordinance across the board. Additionally, the attorney noted the ordinance might be unconstitutional because it goes against the freedom of speech.

Since Latona’s attorney contacted the zoning department, she has yet to receive a violation letter in the mail.

Currently, the “love wall” has about 300 hundred hearts pinned to it with messages of love. Latona encourages others to stop by and post their own “respectful hearts about love and who they love, family, favorite quotes.”

Locals can stop by the home in Westfield and knock on the Latona’s door and they will provide you with everything you need to make your own heart.

“This is truly a wall of love and it is bipartisan,” Latona said.

(Images provided)

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