A Massachusetts man has built an electric fence around a pro-Trump sign in his front yard after previous signs were stolen throughout the summer. Multiple pro-Trump signs in the man’s lawn were taken, so the home owner got creative in an effort to discourage potential thieves.
John Oliveira, 54, said six of his Trump/Pence 2020 signs were stolen from his property in New Bedford, MA since mid-May, reported WJAR-TV. The man also put up another sign that read “Voice Your Vote. Vote New Bedford” in large letters. However, this sign was not removed any of the six times the Trump 2020 signs were stolen.
“It’s a shame I have to do this,”Oliveira said about erecting an electrical fence. “I believe in the president. Obviously, people didn’t like it. Horse wire carries a charge. I mean, it’ll certainly send a message.”
The Electric Fence Has Worked So Far
Oliveira, a 20-year Navy veteran and a member of the New Bedford School Committee, said he filed two police complaints about the signage thefts. Yet, he decided to take matters into his own hands a few weeks ago. Oliveira crafted a makeshift 3.5-foot high triangular electrical fence around a new sign. Accordingly, the sign has remained untouched ever since, he said.
“That’s what our country is about. Different opinions and voicing them in a fair and equitable manner. Taking a sign is not fair and equitable,” said Oliveira, a longtime Democrat who recently became a Republican. “You have to be able to respect each other or we won’t be able to accomplish anything if we don’t. Don’t mess with my right to free speech.”
A pro-Trump “Keep America Great” sign was photographed on Oliveira’s lawn last week. A small yellow sign warned those who got near it in English, Spanish and French. The sign simply read: “Warning. Electric Fence.”
Last year, Oliveira made local news again for his actions involving the New Bedford School Committee. He repeatedly used profanity and flipped the middle finger to fellow school committee members during meetings.
At the time, Oliveira said that he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder stemming from two combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. But, he refused to apologize for his behavior. Instead, he argued that he ran for the committee on a platform dedicated to breaking the status quo and holding career politicians accountable.
[H/T FOX News]
