MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – “Anti-American” is the word Fitchburg resident Matthew Giesfeld used to describe what happened in his neighborhood last night after several political signs were stolen.
Mr Giesfeldt described his sense of relief after the car stopped in his yard just after 10pm last night. Someone jumped out of the car, went to get the yard sign, and drove off. He said it was frustrating for him.
“It’s very sad that a difference of opinion and a difference of choice cannot exist without the risk that someone will take action to try to kill that speech,” he added, adding that this is fundamental to the founding of this country. He added that it was the opposite. “We should have freedom of thought and speech, and I just hope that the people who are doing this understand that it’s okay to disagree about things.”
But Giesfeld’s Fitchburg neighborhood wasn’t the only area affected last night. An entire street about 25 miles north also had its signs removed.
“They took down all 19 signs on the street,” said homeowner Michael Prestigiacomo. “It was really heartbreaking for all of us. We were just chatting this morning and we were just exercising our First Amendment rights.”
A few weeks ago, Prestigiacomo bought all her neighbors Harris Waltz signs to display in their yards. He said it’s very clear who the people driving by are and who they support.
“But I don’t expect these signs to change people’s minds. I just want to remind people to vote and how important it is to vote.”
Madison Police say this type of politically motivated theft continues to increase and they want to remind people of how serious it is. Detective Inspector Jimmy Imall of the Metropolitan Police Department says people sometimes don’t realize the gravity of what they’re doing. He says it’s not considered a stupid prank.
“This is seen as an attack on who they are and what they represent, so it’s more than just stealing a piece of paper, it’s an attack on someone’s identity.”
Madison Police Department encourages anyone whose property has been stolen to file a police report. We also recommend checking doorbell footage as it may help determine who was involved.
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