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Rising fears being created by extreme behaviors

Graham Jaehnig/Daily Mining Gazette The growing fear caused by increasing extremism in the area is drowning out the messages of protestors. One such example is a sign overlooking the Portage Lake Lift Bridge above Front Street in Hancock, located on private property that was defaced and vandalized with vulgarity, devoid of rational expression, but instead, anger and hatred.

Editor’s note: This story and image contains language that could be considered inappropriate for some people.

HANCOCK — The defacing of a political sign atop the retaining wall on Front Street overlooking the Portage Lake Lift Bridge has caused quite a bit of discussion in the community, but almost certainly, not of the type the vandals had hoped to generate.

Becky Bruin-Slot and her husband Jan, who own the property on which the sign was located, were more concerned with the vulgarity and the criminality involved, than the intent of the vandals. Whoever defaced the 4-foot by 6-foot sign had necessarily trespass in their yard to get to the sign. In addition to criminal trespass, the vandals also suppressed the sign owner’s First Amendment right to their freedom of speech.

Mrs. Bruin-Slot said in a telephone interview Monday that while she and her husband own the property, they have long given permission to the city of Hancock, and some individuals, to post signs there, because they are so highly visible to those crossing northward on the bridge.

The sign, the largest on the property, had said something about the President of the United States. It was rendered illegible, however, after vandals spray-painted over the lettering with black spray paint. Across the bottom of the sign were spray-painted the words: “F— Trump.”

Many community members, when asked, have shared the response that such vulgarity being applied to any sign that can be easily seen only serves to discredit the supporters of the party opposing the candidate, because it shows utter disrespect for private property ownership, but also a wanton disregard for minor children who see and read graffiti, leaving them with the burden of trying to put it into some type of perspective.

The increase in the display of politically motivated anger of protesters is what seems to be attracting attention far more so than messages protesters are attempting to convey. In addition to the vandalism of the Front Street sign, several social media posts have included photographs of the vandalized sign, and other posts have included a group of masked protestors congregated on the south end of the lift bridge, one of whom is seen brandishing a large sign made of cardboard with “F— Trump” scrawled on it in black hand-written lettering, while another carried a large, tri-colored flag bearing the same wording. Community members are beginning to express fear at the degree of hatred and anger being displayed by protestors, particularly expressed through the vulgarity of signs and flags.

Houghton County Sheriff Brian McLean said it is being discussed at length throughout the community.

“We had a community Zoom meeting last night,” McLean said. “We were invited by a group of local pastors, and they’ve talked with several law enforcement people. There is a lot of fear out there over how severe the anger is this year, one side versus the other side, and that seems to be worse than other years; it’s out-and-out hate now.”

During the meeting, one pastor discussed wanting to take her daughter to the Black Lives Matter demonstration that occurred in Houghton this past summer, but thought better of it.

“She said she was afraid,” McLean related. “She heard about the violence going on around the country.”

McLean said the level of anger, threats and fear being expressed throughout this election cycle is new.

“It’s the way our political system has gone now,” he said. “If you don’t agree with us, we hate you,” adding that people can apply that behavior to both sides now, it does not really matter which side is discussed.

While displays of hatred and intolerance appear to have increased, McLean said his deputies have not noticed a perceptible increase in vandalism or stealing of political signs.

“It seems to be the same as usual, nothing out of the ordinary,” he said. “But, we have received a handful of calls where people have said: ‘Hey, a sign was taken here,’ or ‘a sign was taken there, I didn’t want you to do anything about it, I just wanted to let you know.'”

Lt. Nick Roberts of the Houghton City Police Department said his department has not noticed an increase in complaints of vandalism or theft over previous years, either.

Hancock Police Lt. David Outinen said that during the past number of days, there have not been a substantial increase in theft or vandalism complaints, but his department has received at least one complaint of harassment and threats over Saturday’s Trump Parade, which drew some 600 vehicles, and was estimated to have been more than 12 miles long. Outinen said he could offer no other details regarding the complaint, because it is still under investigation.

Outinen, like McLean, said this year, tensions are higher and both sides are going to extremes more than in previous years.

The Hancock department talked with one caller on Sunday, said the lieutenant, who expressed deep concern with the increasing hostility of protestors opposing each other.

“This (person) who called Sunday, said that this is extreme, and never seen with the other movements, like the Black Lives Matter protest, and stuff.”

He also mentioned another complaint filed with his department in which the complainant’s house was egged.

“He believes it was politically motivated,” Outinen said, “because of Biden signs. He had a Biden banner hanging on his property.”

People are stressed out over the political situation, he said.

For those extreme protestors who are tempted to steal, deface, destroy, or otherwise damage political election signs, if caught, there are consequences to those actions. In Michigan, the consequences of stealing or defacing signs can include a large fine and even jail time. Stealing or defacing signs is a misdemeanor that can carry a maximum penalty of a $500 fine or imprisonment of up to 90 days, according to state law. It also brings a charge of trespassing.

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