Trump Supporter Sues NY Town For $25M: 'They're Trying To Silence Me'
A New York man is suing his town for millions, claiming it targeted him for his conservative views.
Michael Wasserman, a Long Island businessman with a home in Long Beach, is an outspoken Republican who regularly flies flags displaying his support for former President Donald Trump. The New York Post reports a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday claims his left-leaning neighbors are offended by the displays.
"I believe the city is trying to silence me because I’m pro-Trump," he told The Post.
The 62-year-old entrepreneur has become known in the area for plastering his home — along with his Porsche and Jeep — with a rotating variety of political flags and stickers, the article states.
He has filed a $25 million federal suit — against the City of Long Beach, the chief of police, the city manager and specific police officers — after officials forced him to remove the flags on his cars.
The town claims they are a violation of an ordinance stating that " sign shall be erected, affixed or maintained within the perimeter of any … public street or public property." Wasserman parks his car on a public street outside his home, Fox News reports.
“The LBPD officers on the scene informed Plaintiff that if Plaintiff were flying any other flag besides those supportive of former President Trump and against current President Joe Biden, that the Officers would not be at Plaintiff’s residence,” the complaint, filed in the Eastern District of New York, alleges.
When The Post visited Thursday, he was flying "F–- Biden" banners, the profanity of which has caused neighbors to complain to police.
Following a series of complaints to the town, Long Beach Police Department Chief Ronald Walsh and at least three officers showed up at Wasserman’s house on March 16 asking him to remove the flags because they were in violation of local ordinances, the suit states per the Post.
In March, the town said: "While it is unfortunate that the person flying these flags has chosen to display a flag that utilizes profane language, the use of this language is considered constitutionally protected, especially when it is utilized as part of a political statement."
Wasserman said he will not be stopped.
"I’m standing up for my constitutional liberties," he said. "All they try to do is cancel you."