Man Who Hung 'Impeach Obama' Sign Over LIE Files $2M Federal Lawsuit

Mineola Resident Daniel Martins has filed a $2 million federal lawsuit against Nassau County and the Nassau County Police Department on the claim that his First Amendment rights were violated when he was arrested for hanging a political sign over a Long Island Expressway overpass last year.

Martins, a public relations major and member of Hofstra University’s Libertarian Club, hung an “Impeach Obama; Honk for Justice” sign over an overpass in Jericho on June 6, 2014 when a Nassau County Police officer arrested him, claiming that Martins’ sign was a distraction to drivers.

Martins was charged with disorderly conduct and criminal nuisance, but the criminal charges were dropped six months later by Nassau District Court Judge Sharon Gianelli, who said Martins’ actions were protected by the U.S. Constitution.

The 23-year-old college senior said he hung up signs over highway overpasses from Sept. 2013 to June 2014. He has protested alone and in groups. “We had a few times when the police came up and showed support,” Martins told Patch. “One time, a uniformed Nassau County Police officer brought Coca Cola bottles to give to us.”

Martins was protesting alone when he was arrested on June 6, 2014.

“People do this all the time,” he said, explaining that people hang signs to welcome soldiers home and politicians put their signs over highway overpasses before elections.

Martins believes his actions were no different. “I was doing it in a professional and civil manner,” he said.

The federal court papers were filed two weeks ago and a judge should be assigned to the case in the next several months. The case will be heard in Federal Court in Central Islip.

Martins’ legal fees are covered, but he set up a donation page to help pay for his court fees.Check out his GoFundMe account here.

“I do believe my rights were violated,” Martins said. “People automatically assume you’re guilty when you’re arrested. I don’t want that burden on my head. I want to get it recognized in court so people don’t have to go through what I went through.”

Image via GoFundMe