Instead of advertising $4 buckets of wings or two-for-one beer specials, the Griffith Town Tap in Indiana used its neon sign to help get out the vote for Trump and with some suitably off-color language: “Vote Trump, Grab Them By the P-SSY,” the yellow sign blared.
It caused a stink in Griffith, with some residents complaining to the town council. But the council’s lawyer announced yesterday that officials can’t demand that a politically inflammatory sign be changed.
One of the Trump campaign’s Indiana offices is in Griffith, and Michelle Creech, the bar’s owner, has donated the use of her property to the campaign, MSNBC reported in April.
Why is one of Donald Trump's four Indiana offices in tiny, far flung Griffith? Well, meet Michelle Creech. https://t.co/RBDqiw4iaQ
— tonydokoupil (@tonydokoupil) April 24, 2016
On one Facebook account, someone resembling Creech lists her name as “Shelly Trump.” The bar owner has apparently also photo-shopped Trump into a wedding photo with her.
Griffith Town Tap and its Trump-loving owner faced public outcry on social media. There’s even a petition with nearly 4,000 signatures calling for Griffith Town Tap and another Creech-owned local business to shutter.
I love Griffith Indiana but I will still boycott Griffith Town Tap & Lucile's Bar. I support better businesses in… https://t.co/HWguRetsZg
— Matthew Graegin (@Graeginator) October 19, 2016
After social media uproar, Griffith Town Tap has changed the sign–to use sexual assault to promote a beer special. pic.twitter.com/qEHSK2OVde
— Joseph S. Pete (@nwi_jsp) October 13, 2016
Pretty simple: just don't go to Griffith Town Tap. Or stay out of Griffith altogether. https://t.co/SljTDSrmiP
— Chris Rongey (@ChrisRongey) October 19, 2016
Shut down Griffith Town Tap and Lucile's! https://t.co/Tgif6mRYRJ
— Dawn Boganwright (@DBoganwright) October 17, 2016
@heymyben @@chrisdoppler this guy will not be patronizing Griffith Town Tap. #SJW pic.twitter.com/QHQqfGmJGu
— Dave (@HeyMyManDave) October 16, 2016
Griffith town tap is by far the most repulsive establishment in the region. https://t.co/UBTax6z0dX
— unimportant (@asianali) October 13, 2016
At the Griffith Town Council meeting last night, the city’s attorney said he had no authority to force Creech to change words on her bar’s sign. One councilwoman noted the town had twice gone to court over similar signage issues, “and the judges simply say, ‘Freedom of speech.’ I’m sorry.”
Standing room only at the Griffith Town Council meeting — both sides of the Griffith Town Tap sign represented #nwindiana pic.twitter.com/0Ac3fGJQA1
— Michelle L. Quinn (@Broad) October 19, 2016
Last week, Creech posted this on her Facebook page.
Creech did make one word change to the sign last week, perhaps to pacify her neighbors, switching to something slightly less provocative: “Vote Trump, Grab Them by the $1.00 Pint.”
Despite all the public shaming, all Griffith Town Tap did was change one word. pic.twitter.com/PbE43IXXP5
— Joseph S. Pete (@nwi_jsp) October 13, 2016
