Owner of Phoenix Trump billboard: It will stay up as long as Trump is president

[bathroommonkey76]

A menacing Donald Trump is gazing down on Phoenix's Grand Avenue.

The president is flanked by mushroom clouds and swastikas configured like dollar signs.

"I think a lot of people are feeling this way and I'm just trying to express what I think is on a lot of people's minds these days," the billboard's artist, Karen Fiorito, said Friday in an interview from her California home.

"Something that really concerned us was this idea of a dictatorship where things were going in a certain direction."

But look closely at the mushroom clouds and you'll see clown faces. There's a Russian flag on Trump's lapel.

"I tried to put a little bit of humor in things that are really dark and hard to take," Fiorito said.


Read more: http://www.12news.com/news/politics/owner-of-phoenix-trump-billboard-it-will-stay-up-as-long-as-trump-is-president/423507653

[TheBlackAdder]

1. That's awesome!

[LOL Lib]

2. So awesome!

If I could afford it I would put one up in every major city!

[bathroommonkey76]

5. We should start a crowdfund for those billboards. n/t

[LOL Lib]

17. I think it's a great idea!

[Mike Niendorff]

38. I'm in.

Seriously, this is a great idea.

MDN

[bathroommonkey76]

40. We need to get in touch with the artist first

I think she'd love the idea of having her billboard up four years in all 50 states.

[lastlib]

55. How do we do that?

I'm a little ignorant on these things, but willing to help get the ball rolling.

[33taw]

10. Maybe on major interstates. Large cities tend to vote democrat. It needs greater exposure.

[LOL Lib]

20. Good point!

[malaise]

46. They vote

Democratic not democrat - stop using RETHUG language

[33taw]

53. Take a deep breath.

[Raine1967]

62. We in the Democratic party take that use of the word seriously.

Welcome to DU, but please understand, we are not the Democrat party. That really is a RW use of the word.

(also, telling long term members to take a deep breath is sorta uncool.)

[33taw]

70. Try not to offend those who stand with you. This is petty. There are much bigger battles.

Start picking the right ones. This is not worth your time or mine.

[bdamomma]

66. It would speak volumes

it is time for us to fight back.

[democratisphere]

3. Art with a strong message. Great job!

[Baitball Blogger]

4. What is so incredibly coincidental...

The night before I saw this billboard for the first time on DU a few days ago, I actually woke up from a dream where I saw the number 45 morph into a swastika. Funny how that works.

[bathroommonkey76]

11. Roger Waters had that onscreen during his tour this year.

Well, it was either him or U2-- I can't remember.

[Baitball Blogger]

16. I don't follow either one of them.

[bathroommonkey76]

19. They are musicians. n/t

[gfwzig]

6. can anyone post an address for the sign, I'll be in Phoenix next week & want to visit

found it 11th ave & grand st

[marybourg]

29. You have it. 110 Grand Ave.

Last edited Sun Mar 19, 2017, 02:53 AM - Edit history (1)

I see I lost a "0". That should be 1100 Grand Avenue

[smirkymonkey]

7. Brilliant!

[ailsagirl]

8. FANTASTIC!!!!!

[ProudLib72]

9. I have been wishing for something like this

Whenever I drive to work, I see all these pro-life, pro-christian, pro-gun billboards. About time there are some billboards that make sense.

[Crash2Parties]

34. "pro-life, pro-christian, pro-gun billboards" What a juxtaposition...or is it?

[ProudLib72]

51. They aren't right next to one another

The one I really hate says, "When you die, you will meet God."

[Cha]

12. It really captures trump and his stupid gang of dangerous idiots.

[Orrex]

13. That's practically Trump's campaign poster.

[CCExile]

14. I want this

in bumper sticker form!

[George II]

15. Truth will win out.

[AllaN01Bear]

18. !

[7962]

21. I'm afraid this type of activity will backfire, IMO

Obviously everyone else here LOVES it, but we're forgetting how many "average citizens" react to stuff like this.

[bathroommonkey76]

22. I read another interview with this artist and she is expecting death threats from

Trump supporters-- It wouldn't surprise me if one of them vandalizes the billboard.

[7962]

24. Didnt think of that but its likely to happen nt

[sharedvalues]

23. The billboard acts to change Americans' minds over time.

As Lakoff says:
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/feb/01/george-lakoff-interview

'Conservatives don't follow the polls, they want to change the polls …
Liberals do everything wrong'

This billboard changes the polls.

[Vinnie From Indy]

31. Fuck these assholes!

I could not care less!!!!!!!!!

[TransitJohn]

43. I didn't hear much of an effect when there were over the top Obama billboards

[dalton99a]

45. Yep.

[7962]

54. Well, he won TWICE, so they didnt have the desired effect!

[Honeycombe8]

25. Is that legal?

It's how I feel...but is it legal to display the Prez with nazi insignias flanking him? And why Phoenix, AZ?

[NYC Liberal]

27. How would it not be legal?

We have the First Amendment.

[Honeycombe8]

48. Slander/libel aren't legal.

Showing publicly a real person intimating he's a Nazi could be considered slander or libel. That's what I mean. It might be legal. Just asking.

The First Amendment doesn't mean people can say or represent anything, as we all know.

[TransitJohn]

57. No, it couldn't be considered slander nor libel.

POTUS is by very definition a public figure.

[steve2470]

65. with a public figure, the standard for libel and slander are MUCH higher than for a private citizen

I think the plaintiff has to prove malice aforethought, which is a very high standard.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Times_Co._v._Sullivan (they talk about actual malice)

[Honeycombe8]

69. That's what I was wondering.

So if the billboard stated outright "TRUMP IS A NAZI IN DISGUISE," she might be in trouble. But just having symbols resembling swastikas in the sign isn't enough?

(I am distinguishing saying he IS a Nazi vs. he ACTS LIKE a Nazi or PROMOTES Nazi policies.)

But I think that claiming that so-and-so Public Figure is a Nazi might be considered slander.

The First Amendment protects only some speech, even regarding public figures.

For example, Carol Burnett won a slander lawsuit over a yellow rag stating she was drunk. Truth is always a defense, but it was a lie, and it was derogatory. She not only wasn't drunk, she doesn't drink. Now, if the article had said she was "acting like a drunk person," they may have gotten away with it.

[GulfCoast66]

32. What??

Why would it be illegal? first Amendment remember. At least for now.

[aeromanKC]

37. Not swastikas

Look closer.

[Honeycombe8]

50. Ahhh....good point. I guess that's why she did that.

One more step in proving slander/libel...have to prove that people would would see those insignias as swastikas, when they aren't.

[TransitJohn]

44. Is this America?

Sheesh.

[Honeycombe8]

49. The 1stAmendment doesn't mean you can say or represent anything.

Sheesh.

There's nothing wrong with asking the question. Sheesh.

[TransitJohn]

59. It was a dumb question.

Expect to be called out when asking, on an ostensibly politically informed website, if someone can exercise the 1st Amendment.

[Honeycombe8]

60. No, it wasn't. Legitimate legal question.

You may not be aware of litigation for slander and/or libel of public figures. Just because they are public does not mean anything can be said of them.

Carol Burnett won a lawsuit against a newspaper for simply saying they saw her drunk. First Amendment protected speech? No. Slander.

Why do you think the billboard funder used similar, but not quite swastikas, instead of swastikas?

Sheesh.

[TransitJohn]

63. Don't ask for legal opinions on the internet

It was a stupid question.

[steve2470]

64. The President is a public figure, so the libel laws are much more liberal in respect to him

In addition, the First Amendment explicitly protects political speech. The SCOTUS would vote against any plaintiff, despite what any trial court might do. I think the appeals courts, on the federal level at least, would reverse any negative judgment against a defendant.

My $0.02 from taking Constitutional Law decades ago.

[Honeycombe8]

68. Thanks. nt

[Hulk]

26. If there is one...God bless this woman!!

Such courage and bravery. I admire and respect her talent and courage. To be silent seems so hopeless.

[Charles Bukowski]

28. Love the background, but I would have love to have seen

Trump made up to look like the circus clown that he is.

Whether he leads us to the apocalypse, or merely four of the darkest years in our storied history, Trump should be mocked mercilessly every step of the way.

[Vinnie From Indy]

30. Gonna send this woman some dough

I'll help pay for the billboard!

[BainsBane]

33. I need a copy of that for my yard.

Last edited Sun Mar 19, 2017, 12:44 AM - Edit history (1)

[Sculpin Beauregard]

35. It would be cool

If the artist would allow people to make poster sized copies that people could put up. Brilliant.

[pablo_marmol]

36. Mein Gott in Himmel ----- FANTASTISCH!!!

Der Drumpfenfuhrer hast die weisheit mit einem schaumlöffel gegessen.

[madokie]

39. My new Hero

[KittyWampus]

41. IMO: Those are clearly dollar signs squared off to look like swastikas. They are not swastika

made to look like dollar signs.

It's really interesting what the artist did with the symbol.

[Henry Krinkle]

52. Except, she's not the one who designed it.

[img][/img]

[img][/img]

Same thing with the 'clown clouds'/mushroom clouds...

[img][/img]

It's from an ad for a Playstation video game called 'Twisted Metal'.

[KittyWampus]

58. Profound thanks for the background. I love it even more now.

[66 dmhlt]

42. This Is Gonna Make #45 MAD!

?1489678586

[linnknee]

47. CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP HOORAY HOORAY HOORAY KEEP IT UP KEEP IT UP THANK YOU

[HAB911]

56. Did a little art work today myself

[Kimchijeon]

61. Great news!

I would love to see these everywhere!

[DUar17]

67. I wish someone would put it up in West Palm Beach.

Maybe a two sided billboard so he can see it going both ways.

[burrowowl]

71. Good on Him!