James Walsh got a parking ticket from the State Police for parking next to the Nahant sign while he held a political sign on the opposite island. Item Photo by Owen O’Rourke
By Thomas Grillo
NAHANT — Hillary Clinton supporter James Walsh ran into trouble last week as he prepared to hold a “No Trump No” sign at the Nahant Rotary.
The 73-year-old retiree and chairman of the Nahant Democratic Town Committee said a state police officer gave him a $30 ticket for parking on the grass near the rotary as he unloaded 3-foot-by-4-foot “Hillary” signs for more than a dozen supporters. The group intended to do the standout at the busy intersection on the Lynn-Nahant border.
“I got the strong sense that I was getting ticketed because I had a ‘United Against Trump,’ sign on my windshield,” he said.
The mini political drama unfolded Friday afternoon when Walsh arrived at the Nahant Causeway. He pulled his 2015 silver Hyundai onto the grass near the tennis courts to unload the signs.
Walsh said he had just brought one sign to a supporter when he spotted the officer with the ticket book in hand.
“I asked what was up and he said I couldn’t park there,” he said. “When I told him I was just unloading some signs, he said I need permission to hold a sign on Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) property. He also said they had arrested someone about 18 months ago who refused to stop holding a sign or handing out pamphlets.”
The news shocked Walsh, a former Nahant selectman, who said he’s been holding signs for Democrats at that location for more than two decades. He called DCR to seek clarification on whether a permit was needed and where to get one. But so far he’s been unable to get answers.
“I’ve stood out there for Congressman Seth Moulton and Congressman John Tierney before that,” he said. “It’s a traditional place and a very visible site to reach voters.”
State Rep. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn) said he was puzzled by Walsh’s call to complain about the incident.
“I’ve been in politics for about a dozen years and we routinely use that rotary as a spot for visibility,” he said. “Whether you’re supporting a Democrat or Republican, it’s an issue of free speech on public land. I hope it’s just a mistake on DCR’s part. If not, we will look into changing those rules.”
Mark Steffen, a DCR spokesman, declined to say whether a permit is required to hold signs. State police spokesman David Procopio confirmed police issued a citation for parking in a restricted area.
“Parking at that location blocks operators’ view of traffic entering and exiting the rotary, so it is a public safety issue.”
Thomas Grillo can be reached at [email protected].
