Neighbors upset at protest sign featuring swastika

WHITEHALL, Pa. — A Whitehall man posted a controversial sign in his yard to protest city council.

The sign was made by Raymond Meenan and placed along busy Streets Run Road. The handmade sign bears a swastika and calls Whitehall Council, police and the magistrate “Nazis,” claiming they robbed Meenan of $20,000.

"Between fines and lawyers, I had to put out in excess of $20,000 to prove they lied," said Meenan.

Neighbors told WPXI’s Jodine Costanzo the sign has caused a lot of anger and embarrassment in the community.

Local resident Sandy Zera lives a few doors down from Meenan and said she is offended by the sign.

"The swastika sign is terrible. I think it's horrible. It’s terrible something like that has to be in a neighborhood like this," said Zera.

Officials say Meenan is well known in Whitehall and has shown up at council meetings with a T-shirt bearing the same message. Police say he has a long arrest record in the borough, including disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and harassment.

Whitehall neighbors want the sign taken down, but Mayor Jim Nowalk told Channel 11 News that the sign does not violate any borough ordinances.

"He's expressing his right of free speech. As far as I know, there isn't anything the borough can do," said Nowalk.

WPXI