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In this brightly lit metropolis with countless signs and advertisements, the views of the Hudson River and the East River provide a water Zen for New Yorkers.
So it's no surprise that 1,200 of the scenesquare-
The foot E-billboard that sailed along Manhattan in October generated countless eyes and complaints, numerous tweets and considerable setbacks.
A few months later, New York City filed a lawsuit in an attempt to stop companies running billboards from advertisingbearing barges.
But Ballyhoo Media says it plans to keep its ships afloat.
"We think this is clearly an excessive government intervention," the company's chief executive, Adam Shapiro, said in an interview on the second day of Thursday's lawsuit in the city.
On Friday, Ballyhoo's billboard still sailed along the river with a new, sharp 30-
The second message is: "Freedom is the foundation of our country.
New York City filed a lawsuit in the Southern District of Manhattan accusing Ballyhoo of violating local law with its "Times Square"
Style billboards "and create public nuisance.
"Our waterways are not Times Square," Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a statement announcing the lawsuit . ".
"These floating eyeshadows have no position on them.
"In addition to seeking a ban on Ballyhoo operating billboards, the city also said it wanted to charge a fine of up to $25,000 due to claims that the company had violated zoning laws.
The lawsuit also said the billboard distracted the attention of drivers traveling along the waterfront highway, boat operators on the waterways, and pedestrians and cyclists on the riverside trail. Mr.
Shapiro said he did not believe Barry Hu had violated the law.
He said the company had been advised from law firms, zoning and maritime experts prior to the listing of billboards in New York.
"They all said we did not violate any zoning laws . "Shapiro said.
A Ballyhoo ship in New York carrying 60-foot-long and 20-foot-
High LED screen, traveling from the west side of Midtown, along the Hudson River, around Battery Park, then along the East River to Roosevelt Island.
The journey takes two hours before the ship turns. Shapiro said.
"I want to sympathize with people and understand their views," he said . ".
"I just can't see how something passing by in a few seconds can affect someone's day. ”Mr.
Shapiro confirmed freedom.
Confirm that the information on the Billboard seen on Friday is to counter the lawsuit.
The image of the Statue of Liberty is displayed on the screen, as well as the words celebrating "freedom of speech, freedom of business and freedom of Innovation.
It went on to thank the Coast Guard and the police and fire department in New York and then ended with "my heart. Y. ” campaign.
"We are just a ship cruising at the port and will not do any harm to anyone or anything," he said . " He added: "It's just because some people don't like it or think of it that doesn't mean it should be illegal.
"Marcy benstok, executive director of the clean air movement and open River project in New York, said her organization received complaints from people living near the water, saying the light on the Billboard woke them up.
"People go to the river to get the feeling of peace, peace and tranquility and release from the pressure," she said . ".
"All of a sudden, one of these things is the opposite.
It made them very angry.
On January, the city's legal department sent a letter to Ballyhoo informing it that the city believed the company had violated the law. Mr.
Shapiro said the company's response was "a very detailed letter" explaining why it did not believe that the billboard violated the zoning regulations.
He said the city never responded.
He also said he believes recent reports have exaggerated the grievances of New Yorkers.
"We reach about 500,000 people every day . "Shapiro said.
"Even if a few people are unhappy --
There could be thousands in New York.
This does not represent a majority. ”Mr.
Shapiro said the company that paid for the billboard had contacted him on legal matters.
He won't say if he lost his business because of it.
He added that he was hopeful about his company, which was founded in 2016 from Miami and that New York City might cooperate in the future.
In Miami, he says, Ballyhoo is reaching an agreement with the city's tourism board to watch movies on the beach.
He hopes to do something similar in New York.
"We are trying to be an asset to the community," he said . ".
"We are not trying to distract.
Two City Council members Mark D earlier this week.
Levin and Justin L.
Brannan has introduced a bill to raise the fine of the city's waterway advertising company from $100,000 to $25,000.
Both said they welcomed the city's lawsuit.
"These monsters are ugly and illegal, and they will soon be in the past . "
Brannan said in a statement.
"When every inch of our world is covered by advertising, visual pollution is a real thing and our waterways should be unrestricted.