ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – With tensions on the rise across the county over the political climate, many have exercised their freedom of speech by placing signs on their doorstep. Now, one northeast Albuquerque family says they’ve become a victim for expressing their opinion after they were targeted by vandals. They are now asking for the public’s help to stop this from happening again.
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“It’s upsetting. It’s costly a little bit, for sure,” said Greg Mello, Los Alamos Study Group.
It was supposed to be a way to open the door for conversation.
“By and large, the response has been very positive,” said Greg Mello.
Greg and Trish Mello founded the Los Alamos Study Group, which is a non-profit group dedicated to nuclear de-proliferation. Over the years, the couple has placed a number of different signs in their front yard, all on current events. “We’ve got to set priorities differently than we have, and that’s why we put these signs up,” said Greg Mello.
This latest sign, a photo of President Donald Trump shaking hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with the words “peace, not war”, was cut down and stolen.
“When you have someone come in with that violence, that violence that cutting it down or removing it and just taking it off and throwing it away, if you disagree with us, that’s your business, and you could at least talk to us,” said Trish Mello.
The vandalism happened two more times after they put up new signs. They are now on sign number four. The couple told KRQE News 13 they just want to practice their freedom of speech and for the vandals to stop.
“It is also an opportunity to have this conversation today and hopefully others with neighbors and other people, and I’m hoping that we can make lemonade out of this lemon.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the couple, the phone number is 505-577-8563.