Posted on 10/22/2023 9:49:29 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
The war between Israel and Hamas continues to spark debate in the United States and other countries as people express their opinions on the conflict. In New Jersey, a billboard denouncing Hamas was taken down.
The sign, which was put up by a Jewish organization named JewBelong, was removed after law enforcement received over 100 complaints. Situated on Route 80 in Bergen County, the billboard's message did not mince words: “Oh, don’t be naïve. Hamas would chop your head off too.”
This anti-Hamas billboard on Route 80 in Bogota Borough resulted in more than 100 calls to police before it was taken down by organizers, authorities say.
pic.twitter.com/7DoUMColJl— Shlomo Schorr (@OneJerseySchorr) October 19, 2023
The message was a reference to news reports revealing that Hamas, when it launched its initial surprise attack on October 7, beheaded Israeli babies. It was a shocking act of brutality that elicited outrage across the world.
Bogota police explained that there were no criminal violations associated with the billboard. It is also worth noting that law enforcement likely had no legal authority to take it down since it was erected on private property. JewBelong has similar billboards across the country.
Bogota police said they were aware of the sign, but that there have been no criminal violations as a result, NJ Advance Media reported.
“Our police department works closely with county, state and federal agencies to ensure the safety of our community,” the department said on Facebook, noting it had no control over the sign because it was private property. “There have been no threats to our community and we are investigating the matter to ensure all community members remain safe.”
So, here’s the obvious question: If the billboard had carried a message critical of Israel, would it have been removed? It seems likely that it would have remained precisely where it was – even if there were complaints.
To be fair, the complaints could have arisen due to the graphic nature of the message about beheading. Still, the words on the billboard point to an ugly reality. Indeed, the brutality Hamas has shown since its inception is well-documented. The constant rocket attacks and deliberate attacks on noncombatants don’t exactly put them in the running for the Nobel Peace Prize, do they?
We only need to look at some of the incidents that occurred in European nations since the war started to see how vicious these people are. On Saturday, I wrote about a terrorist attack carried out by an asylum seeker in the United Kingdom. While details are sparse due to law enforcement not publicizing the details, this highlights the effects of the war on other countries.
Even before this incident, a terrorist in France murdered a teacher by stabbing her to death while yelling “Allahu akbar!” A Jewish person was also attacked in China but survived.
While the tone of the billboard may have been harsh, it is possible that removing it runs afoul of the First Amendment, especially since it was placed on private property. Yes, the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians is a hot-button issue – especially over the past two weeks. But expressing one’s opinion on the matter shouldn’t be met with government scrutiny.
So, it’s not 70 complaints or even 99 complaints, it takes 100 complaints to law enforcement to invalidate the 1st Amendment. Got it.
Stupid. I cannot find in the article who took the sign down. The police said they had no authority because it was on private property.
That’s GOOD.
Needs to be on a billboard!
I-80, not Route 80.
I wouldn’t say that. They gave it to Arafat, after all. And Obama. It’s really a meaningless award. More like the Nobel No-Peace Award.
Bkmk
umm who took it down? Under what authority did they do so?
It was private property and we have this thing called the First Amendment in this country. Police received complaints about it? Tough crap. I don’t care if they received a million complaints about it. There’s not a damn thing they or anyone else can legally do about it.
In the article just above the picture.
Could be 3 muzzies(SPIT!) on speed dial, making 100 calls.
JewBelong buckled.
Perfect poster. Congress should mandate this poster be put up at every University.
The article says it was taken down by the organizers.
“This anti-Hamas billboard on Route 80 in Bogota Borough resulted in more than 100 calls to police before it was taken down by organizers, authorities say.”
The complaints got much more publicity for the billboard than it would ever have received otherwise.
And who is that?
The sign, which was put up by a Jewish organization named JewBelong
I can’t remember the guy’s name, but it seems like he’s somewhere in VA or close by. He holds up “offensive” signs about Biden, etc. The police confront him, but he gives it right back to them and never backs down.
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