In July, Rebecca and Shirley Solomon, the two sisters, who spent most of their 40 years living in the TriBeCa attic, hung a sign for Hillary Clinton on their windows.
In other election years, they hung slogans for Barack Obama and posted slogans against George w. Bush.
Bush and Iraq war.
But this time, their political contacts have been thwarted.
Two weeks after signing the contract, the landlord asked them to take Hillary.
The building has changed from rental to apartment, and the apartment board has new regulations on window decoration prohibiting residents from posting any signs on Windows.
The sisters were frustrated.
"With our old landlord, we can almost escape murder," says Rebecca Solomon . " She has been living on and off with her sister in the Beach Street loft since 1978.
The new regime is far less tolerant.
As the owner of the apartment, their landlord, bound by the rules of the Apartment Association, passed the order to the Solomon sisters, who were rented
Stable tenants
"I don't have the First Amendment, do I?
Asked Rebecca Solomon. She might not.
The First Amendment, the cornerstone of the US Constitution, does not necessarily protect people on private property.
In New York, homeowners can theoretically show any sign of political persuasion.
But the people who live in the apartment
Ops and privately owned leased buildings are a response to higher authority: the owner of the building.
Renting a lease for r may limit which objects can be placed in windows.
Owners of apartments and apartments
Op apartments must follow the rules of an apartment association or co-Opop board.
Like a landlord, apartment, or partner.
The Op board can enforce building rules, including rules prohibiting window displays like solar lights or any form of logo.
"If the landlord says no, there is no constitutional right to post your logo," said Christopher Dunn, deputy legal director of the New York Civil Liberties Union. Rent-
However, there are some protections for stable tenants. Under rent-
According to David E. , the stability law, the landlord cannot expel the tenant for the sake of the window sign
Lawyer for tenants Fraser
However, if you refuse the landlord's request, he may take you to court, which is risky.
In order to maintain peace with a landlord who is "actually a very good working partner", Rebecca Solomon removed the sign, she said.
Stroll the streets of brownstone Brooklyn, where many residents own their properties and you will see signs of support or opposition to national and local undertakings --
Go to the Brooklyn Heights Library or the Brooklyn Bridge.
In Manhattan, where most people live in apartments, there are very few such displays.
There is a price for silence.
The humble behavior of hanging window placards makes ordinary citizens sound in a political environment dominated by rich players.
Yard or window sign is a cheap way to get involved.
The signs "are a historic way for residents to express their political views," said Jenny lochdroo, deputy legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union in New Jersey.
"It's unique that you put yourself there, in this way.
But for millions of New Yorkers living in multi-family buildings, this option is not possible.
Unless you own the building, of course.
Consider 337 Lafayette Street, a construction site owned by developer Aby Rosen.
It has been wrapped in a green fence since August with the words "Vote for your conscience" printed on it, a nod to Ted Cruz, before backing Donald Trump at the end of September, he made the remark at the Republican National Convention.
Mr. Jared Kushner, the sign can also be read as GebeTrump’s son-in-
His company owns the park building nearby.
Paradoxically, 337 Lafayette Street was once called the Peace Pentagon because the building was traditionally left
Inclined tenants like Grandma Peace Brigade and the American Socialist Party.
These tenants are in Mr.
Rosen bought it for $20.
2015 75 million.
Sometimes, political expression cannot be guaranteed even with ownership.
On February, Joseph Hornick, a retired fireman, hung two flags,
Trump's slogan outside the house of the West Dragon branch in New York State "Make America Great Again"J.
They were the first campaign flag.
Holnick used to fly.
"I am proud to be able to raise these flags," he said . ".
Until he announced his support.
Trump, he only hangs the American flag in 1815, the year his home was built. In March, Mr.
Holnick was cited for violating a town regulation that restricted the display of political signs to 30 days before the election and 5 days after the election.
He will face a penalty of up to $2,000 or 90 days in prison, or both, although he is unlikely to be so severely punished by the city court for his first crime, according to his lawyerMr.
Hornick was not intimidated.
"I will stay in prison for a year," he said . ".
"I only care who will protect my flag. ” (
Wang Dalen stole them many times,
Holnick replaced them with eBay's new mail. )
The story, he said, "has a life of its own ".
Honick soon became a local celebrity in the community near the Jersey coast as news media noticed him.
May has dismissed the case.
In June, the town abolished the regulation.
Such regulations, Eric D said, "may be more common than you think ".
Sherman is a lawyer in Manhattan.
Holnick Bono, and ACLU in New Jersey.
"People don't know it's against the constitution.
"Towns can impose some restrictions on the political signs that homeowners post on their property, but they can't ban them directly, and basically Mr within 11 months of the year.
According to Ms. holnick, the town of holnick constitutes an unreasonable ban.
LoCicero, ACLU, New Jersey.
Unlike New York, the Association of apartments and homeowners in New Jersey cannot ban political signs, although they can also impose some restrictions.
Nevertheless, the restrictive and potentially constitutional violation rules remain, unless there is a counter-attack.
"It's kind of like Whack-A-Mole,” Ms. LoCicero said.
"We find these bans every four years.