West Side Rag
  • TOP NEWS
  • OPEN/CLOSED
  • FOOD
  • SCHOOLS
  • OUTDOORS
  • REAL ESTATE
  • ART & CULTURE
  • POLITICS
  • COLUMNS
  • CRIME
  • HISTORY
  • ABSURDITY
  • ABOUT US
    • OUR STORY
    • CONTRIBUTORS
    • CONTACT
West Side Rag
No Result
View All Result
SUPPORT THE RAG

Search the site

No Result
View All Result
Get WSR FREE in your inbox
SUPPORT THE RAG

PEACE SIGN STILL SHINES DESPITE COURT RULING

December 10, 2016 | 6:16 PM
in NEWS
52

ansonia-peace3

A federal appeals court ruled two months ago that the city was within its rights to prohibit a peace sign in the window of the Ansonia, the historic building on 73rd Street and Broadway. But regulations or not, the sign was back up in all its glory on Friday night.

The ruling on October 14 said that the city was within its rights to fine designer Brigitte Vosse for putting an illuminated peace sign in her 17th-floor window. Illuminated signs are not allowed above 40 feet in the air. Vosse had challenged the ruling on free speech and consistency grounds, but the court found her arguments were “without merit.”

Share this article:
SUPPORT THE RAG
guest

guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

52 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
David Collins
David Collins
8 years ago

Good use of time, money and resources by NYC. Well done, yet again, Deblasio. Well done. Perhaps they can just put scaffolding around the building and block it.

0
Reply
jezbel
jezbel
8 years ago

Good for her. Shine on.

0
Reply
Claredelune
Claredelune
8 years ago

Idiotic. Free speech should have prevailed. The city has has sold our eyeballs by inflicting brightly lit electronic billboards on the streets of our neighborhoods via bus shelters, newstands and the monolithic “internet access snd charging stations” (aka another excuse to sell ad space), yet this woman can’t have a peace sign? Not even at Christmas? City hall is facsist.

0
Reply
ronald shapley
ronald shapley
8 years ago
Reply to  Claredelune

Take that DeBlasio !!!

0
Reply
dannyboy
dannyboy
8 years ago

ms vosse has a right to resist

more to come…

0
Reply
Zulu
Zulu
8 years ago

Bravo!

0
Reply
DenMark
DenMark
8 years ago
Reply to  Zulu

Will “Bravo” be your response if it is outside your window? Or if there are dozens more lighted signs in a multitude of different shapes and colors?

I agree that this is all a waste of money, but the laws should be applied consistently (she should just take it down). And don’t blame DeBlasio… this has been going on for years.

0
Reply
Zulu
Zulu
8 years ago
Reply to  DenMark

“[…]dozens more lighted signs in a multitude of different shapes and colors?”

Like Christmas tree lights for example?

What happened to discretion in the execution of the law? The ordinance is clearly meant for restraining advertising from springing up all over the place. Not for preventing people from displaying an inocuous piece sign with no ill effect other than to the imaginary damage inflicted to the crotchety members of a coop board.

0
Reply
Jep
Jep
8 years ago
Reply to  Zulu

Unless of course the advertising is being sold by the city, the great sell out of New York continues.

0
Reply
lynn
lynn
8 years ago
Reply to  DenMark

I’m not going to get into a long winded discussion about this, because it’s absolutely ridiculous. I assumed it coincided with the John Lennon memorial service, but in any case the peace sign isn’t REMOTELY near another tenant’s window or shining into anyone’s personal space.

0
Reply
Mark
Mark
8 years ago
Reply to  lynn

Lynn, you are completely correct.
A one-size-fits-all approach to these kinds of issues are the domain of the simple minded.
There will always be those out there who can’t think about things as individual event but will, out of a lack of imagination, need to lump everything together and react accordingly.

0
Reply
Jake Lewis
Jake Lewis
8 years ago

I will resist the temptation to say this in caps, but. This has nothing whatsoever to do with free speech, nothing at all.

0
Reply
stevieboy
stevieboy
8 years ago

How very Trumpian of her. Or is it Trumpish?? not sure.

But hey, why not?? Let’s all just do what we want with no regard for the rules or others…

I pity the future

0
Reply
David
David
8 years ago
Reply to  stevieboy

WHAT is THAT supposed to mean?? Is this woman’s absurd attention-getting behavior somehow attributable to Donald Trump?? I suppose it was Donald Trump who set the Great Chicago Fire of 1879! And let’s not forget that he was the shadowy presence on the grassy knoll that day in Dallas when JFK was assassinated, right? Get real!!

0
Reply
GG
GG
8 years ago
Reply to  David

I don’t like it so it has to come down

-typical Upper West Sider

-or-

I think it’s great, she needs to keep it up

-another typical UWS resident

Bottom Line.

Guess What?!? it’s not about what you like or not. We live in a SOCIETY you self-involved spoiled brats….liberal and conservative alike

Oh yeah, Happy Holidays

0
Reply
lynn
lynn
8 years ago
Reply to  stevieboy

I pity the future too if you can’t see the difference between a person who instigates violence against anyone that’s not a white male, and someone who displays a peace sign in a window at the top of a building.

0
Reply
sg
sg
8 years ago
Reply to  lynn

Nonsense…it’s the liberal SJW who are violent. Most Trump supporters (myself included) are productive members of society that don’t need or want liberal elites or the recipient class telling us how to live.

0
Reply
Jep
Jep
8 years ago
Reply to  sg

“LiberL elite” is a ridiculous and untrue term made up as more propaganda from the fascist right.

0
Reply
Jerry
Jerry
8 years ago
Reply to  sg

What is SJW – is that a veiled anti-semitic term?

0
Reply
West Sider
Author
West Sider
8 years ago
Reply to  Jerry

“Social Justice Warrior” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_justice_warrior

0
Reply
lynn
lynn
8 years ago
Reply to  lynn

My apologies, that should have read, ‘white straight male.’

0
Reply
Zeus
Zeus
8 years ago
Reply to  lynn

Hey Lynn,
You are not serious in saying the Trump is ok with violence against anyone who is not white, are you?
That is an extreme statement, even coming from you.
Please explain, I would love to hear it.
Holiday cheers to you and all.

0
Reply
jhminnyc
jhminnyc
8 years ago

I think it’s just handsome and pleasing to look at in its setting.

0
Reply
Sean
Sean
8 years ago

Has no one heard of curtains, blinds, shades, or window treatments as they are called now?

0
Reply
slaves of NY
slaves of NY
8 years ago

Bravo, Voss fight the power!

Mayor, why don’t YOU help her, It’s a beautiful sign.

Happy Holidays & Merry Xmas

0
Reply
slave of NY
slave of NY
8 years ago

Bravo to her, fight the power!

Perhaps the Mayor could help her out, it’s a beautiful sign.

Happy Holidays & Merry Xmas

0
Reply
nycityny
nycityny
8 years ago

It’s sad that her peace sign is causing a war of words on westsiderag (though just about any subject seems to do so).

Give peace a chance…

0
Reply
jeff Berger
jeff Berger
8 years ago

With respect, you are all missing the point. The law says that you cannot have an illuminated sign above 40 feet. This is not a free speech issue, it is a zoning issue.

Just because you agree with the message is not the point. Replace the peace sign with something that you don’t like, say the GOP logo or the NRA logo. See the problem?

This not about DeBlasio, or Trump, or your hatred of the advertising on city furniture (which BTW, brings in lots of tax revenue), this is about obeying a zoning law.

If this person gets to break the law, then you open the flood gates to other people putting illuminated signs in their window, maybe signs you don’t like. Do you really want the UWS filled with such signs?

0
Reply
Pedestrian
Pedestrian
8 years ago
Reply to  jeff Berger

“people” otherwise known as developers break the “law” on a daily basis but then they get the City to make it legal!

0
Reply
Jeff
Jeff
8 years ago
Reply to  jeff Berger

I mostly second your thoughts, my fellow Jeff, although technically this is both a free speech issue and a zoning issue (it’s about whether the zoning improperly infringes free speech, and the courts have said it does not).

I would add, however, that Ms. Vosse is probably well within her legal rights to put up this peace sign during the holiday season, given that Christmas lights and Hanukkah lights (including many that could also be construed as signs) are up in high rises all over the city right now. Presumably the city will look the other way during December.

0
Reply
Phoebe
Phoebe
8 years ago
Reply to  Jeff

Good point, Jeff.
I pass by this building all the time and have never even noticed the sign. I guess I don’t look up much. But I’d rather see a peace sign than the other holiday decorations.
I remember this conversation from last year. It is weird that it hasn’t caused the out of control situation that many last year predicted. Or is it? Or did it, and I just
didn’t notice??

0
Reply
Jean
Jean
8 years ago

Why CAN’T she do this? Don’t many high rise office buildings have the form of a cross created by lit windows at night?
I’m living in NYC for my whole life ( 61 years ) and I see no problem in a PEACE sign of all things. First heavens same, it’s not even religious.

0
Reply
Jean
Jean
8 years ago
Reply to  Jean

I meant to type “for heavens sake”.

0
Reply
Francine Cohen
Francine Cohen
8 years ago

Has anyone stopped and asked why there is a zoning law about illuminated signs above 40 feet being prohibited? According to this article that height guideline is pretty specific. Could it have something to do with flight safety? Perhaps. I’m no aviation expert, but before everyone piles on more about the President elect, our Mayor, white privilege and free speech maybe this question needs to be answered. I wonder if she lived on the third floor of the Ansonia if the illuminated peace sign would be such an issue. Worth investigating, WSR.

0
Reply
stevieboy
stevieboy
8 years ago
Reply to  Francine Cohen

I love you Francine Cohen. You are my kind of gal.

Truly, a voice of reason. Bravo!

0
Reply
June Quarfordt
June Quarfordt
8 years ago

We need that sign now more than ever!

0
Reply
Anita
Anita
8 years ago

Yea!! In our new environment a lot of rules may have to be broken!

0
Reply
Cathy Goldbas
Cathy Goldbas
8 years ago

Really? With everything the way it is these day I think we need more peace signs.

0
Reply
Alice Brody
Alice Brody
8 years ago

Good for her!!!!!

0
Reply
pcnyc
pcnyc
8 years ago

Yayyy! The law needs to be changed; illuminated “signs” are everywhere.

0
Reply
ethan
ethan
8 years ago

Civil disobedience at its finest.

0
Reply
Mel Stone
Mel Stone
8 years ago

What a complete waste of time! With all the unrest in this country/world, we can all benefit from this Peace sign. Use our money for better causes.

0
Reply
Susan Sabel
Susan Sabel
8 years ago
Reply to  Mel Stone

Peace out! Love it. It’s beautiful 💕

0
Reply
Mark
Mark
8 years ago

Love to watch the conservatives shilling for increased government regulation on what we can put on our personal property.

0
Reply
grandmasterbeta
grandmasterbeta
8 years ago

The Peace Sign is the perfect sign, in the perfect spot, in the perfect building, in the city’s greatest neighborhood. Be proud and more tolerant, NY. It bothers no one.
Long live the peace sign. (And be glad I don’t live there because I’d get a giant neon middle finger.)

0
Reply
Ginger
Ginger
8 years ago

Good lord. Of all the things to protest right now! We should FILL the city with peach signs, glowing, lighted, bedazzled — what have you.

0
Reply
Ginger
Ginger
8 years ago
Reply to  Ginger

Ugh. Of course I meant to type “peace” not “peach.” Though a peach sign sounds fine too. 😉

0
Reply
Ted
Ted
8 years ago

This woman who is obviously selling something using the “peace sign” for code is clearly running some nefarious scheme. It’s a little to convenient when a peace sign goes up just in time for Christmas. It’s like there’s a link between the two. The pieces aren’t all fitting yet…. And tell me if I’m wrong but aren’t there one or two illuminated signs over forty feet up in Times Square. I am just glad our city and federal courts have clearly prioritized addressing those issues that most affect all New Yorkers by creating dangerous intolerable conditions.

0
Reply
nycissues.org
nycissues.org
8 years ago
Reply to  Ted

Signs are required by the zoning on Times Square.

0
Reply
Mark
Mark
8 years ago
Reply to  Ted

Ted, you have a point. I was thinking the same thing last night while wearing my tin foil hat.

0
Reply
Ted
Ted
8 years ago
Reply to  Mark

Mark

I hope your comment doesn’t imply you sometimes take off your tinfoil hat. I wear mine all the time. They’re everywhere!!!

0
Reply
Bob
Bob
8 years ago

I just can’t believe someone saw that peace sign and was like, “this has to come down.” of all the things to focus on… wtf. It’s beautiful. One of my favorite elements of the uWs.

I get laws and whatever. But seriously, not even a big deal at all. Find something else to worry about. Almost seems anti peace to fight something that really is 100% harmless.

0
Reply

YOU MIGHT LIKE...

Warrant Issued for the Arrest of UWS Pit Bulls Owner; Dogs Still Not Turned In
NEWS

Warrant Issued for the Arrest of UWS Pit Bulls Owner; Dogs Still Not Turned In

June 13, 2025 | 5:09 PM
The Race to Represent UWS and Morningside Heights District 7: Abreu Announces Endorsements, Okporo Prepares Challenge
NEWS

Upper West Side Election Guide 2025: Early Voting, Polling Sites, Local Races, Candidates

June 13, 2025 | 10:41 AM
Previous Post

PHOTO GALLERY: THE STATELY CHRISTMAS TREES IN WEST END AVENUE LOBBIES

Next Post

BANK ROBBER WEARING GIANTS SWEATSHIRT RIPS OFF CHASE BANK, POLICE SAY

this week's events image
Next Post
BANK ROBBER WEARING GIANTS SWEATSHIRT RIPS OFF CHASE BANK, POLICE SAY

BANK ROBBER WEARING GIANTS SWEATSHIRT RIPS OFF CHASE BANK, POLICE SAY

AGGRESSIVELY PASSIVE-AGGRESSIVE PARKING ENFORCEMENT ON RIVERSIDE DRIVE

AGGRESSIVELY PASSIVE-AGGRESSIVE PARKING ENFORCEMENT ON RIVERSIDE DRIVE

HEAVY KEY CHAIN, PERSONALIZED WEDDING RING FOUND

HEAVY KEY CHAIN, PERSONALIZED WEDDING RING FOUND

  • ABOUT US
  • CONTACT US
  • NEWSLETTER
  • WSR MERCH!
  • ADVERTISE
  • EVENTS
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TERMS OF USE
  • SITE MAP
Site design by RLDGROUP

© 2025 West Side Rag | All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • TOP NEWS
  • THIS WEEK’S EVENTS
  • OPEN/CLOSED
  • FOOD
  • SCHOOLS
  • OUTDOORS
  • REAL ESTATE
  • ART & CULTURE
  • POLITICS
  • COLUMNS
  • CRIME
  • HISTORY
  • ABSURDITY
  • ABOUT
    • OUR STORY
    • CONTRIBUTORS
    • CONTACT US
  • WSR SHOP

© 2025 West Side Rag | All rights reserved.