'F*** Trump': Texas driver's politically-charged message goes viral following police warning
KEY POINTS
- Police requested to speak to the vehicle's driver following complaints from other road users.
- Officers have accused Karen Fonseca of "disturbing the peace".
The driver of a truck with an "offensive" message to Trump and his voters has spoken out after a picture of her vehicle went viral.
Texas woman Karen Fonseca was forced to reveal her identity after a local law enforcement officer posted an image of her white Chevrolet pick-up to Facebook. Sheriff Troy E. Nehls's picture clearly shows a large bold-font message on her truck which read: "F*** Trump and Fuck you for voting for him."
The Fort Bend County sheriff had asked the driver of the vehicle to come forward so they could come to an "agreement about modification". He said in the post:
"I have received numerous calls regarding the offensive display on this truck as it is often seen along FM 359. If you know who owns this truck or it is yours, I would like to discuss it with you. Our Prosecutor has informed us she would accept Disorderly Conduct charges regarding it, but I feel we could come to an agreement regarding a modification to it."
Speaking to news station KPRC2, Karen Fonseca says the sheriff has "violated her privacy" by posting the picture to the internet.
"I thought the whole thing was totally crazy. It's been on there for such a long time and we have so much positive out of it -- more positive that outweighs the negative," she said.
Some commenters say they were offended by the Fonseca's politically-charged decal.
Linzi Bee wrote : "I've seen this truck, and I would pleased if the owner of this vehicle was prosecuted for disorderly conduct. My children saw this, and I was infuriated they were subjected to this offensive display."
However, some users have come out in support of Fonseca.
"Confederate flags are highly offensive. Where's your outrage with that?? I'm in Tx and see these stupid flags on trucks everyday. Makes me wanna go slap their mamas", one person wrote.
"Driver- if the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office is stupid enough to arrest you, and the DA's office is stupid enough to prosecute you, I would be honored to defend you for free," another said.
"I don't live there so I have no dog in this fight, but this is absolutely protected speech under the First Amendment. See Cohen v. California. Bringing charges would be a complete waste of resources," said Brianna Walton.
Cohen v. California was a 1971 Supreme Court case which ruled a defendant was unlawfully charged for disturbing the peace for wearing a jacket in a courthouse which read: 'F*** the Draft.'"
