FREEDUM
Jay Johnson is flying a 50-foot-by-30-foot custom-made flag at his construction business in Buffalo, Minnesota, but his decision to do so is in violation of the law. City ordinance requires signs of that size to be licensed. Under the city code, signs with a sign area larger than eight square feet, like Johnson’s, must have a license and are subject to the time, place and size restrictions set forth by the city.
Because Johnson has not applied for one and has not indicated to the city that he will, the city told Newsweek it is now determining how to proceed with enforcement. A Buffalo official added that Johnson received previous warnings from the city.
“I am prepared to get the fines, ultimately get cuffed, go to jail, whatever,” he told CBS affiliate WCCO.
Johnson said that several of his vehicles’ windows have been shot out by BB guns since he put the flag back up. He has put out a reward and says he’ll forgive those that shot out the windows if they come forward.
He says he took down the flag, which measures 50 feet by 30 feet, after the election — but decided to put it back up last month.
“I’ll just put it up someplace else, and maybe even a bigger flag,” Johnson said.
