The country’s favorite pony-loving politician is suing the city of Concord in federal court, saying the city did not allow him to bring two equines to his protest of Hillary Clinton’s Tuesday book signing, which violates the First Amendment.
According to the complaint written by Vermin Supreme’s attorney Marc Randazza, of Randazza Legal Group, PLLC, out of Las Vegas, Nev., Supreme is protesting the book signing because Clinton’s book “What Happened,” which focused on the former presidential candidate’s 2016 campaign, “engages in a direct attack on to Mr. Supreme’s long standing political platform … wherein he advocates for the socialized distribution of equine companions to every American.”
Supreme, of Massachusetts, who characterizes himself as a political activist, has run for various political offices, including the presidential office, in the United States since the 1980s. He is known for wearing a boot as a hat, and his platform has historically included mandatory toothbrushing and a pony for every American.
Most recently, Supreme ran as a Democrat in the 2016 presidential primary elections.
Supreme’s protest would include having two ponies on the sidewalk outside Gibson’s Bookstore, where the book signing will take place, according to the complaint, which was filed Friday in the United States District Court of New Hampshire.
However, the city of Concord requires a permit to bring ponies to a protest, and Supreme alleges that the city has denied him said permit, “offering instead to issue a permit for the ponies on a different day in the same location.”
“Mr. Supreme’s message will be lost if he is not able to protest Hillary Clinton outside near the book signing,” the complaint reads.
According to the complaint, Supreme had one of his political organizers, Keith Yergeau, contact Concord on his behalf to find out what he would need to do to carry out his protest.
Yergeau was directed to Concord’s health and licensing officer Eugene Blake, who allegedly told him while there were no restrictions on having ponies outside of Gibson’s, the Concord Police Department had instructed him to deny the pony permit.
The passage of Clinton’s book Supreme takes issue with details a Facebook post that Clinton was sent by a supporter, according to the complaint. That post, originally written by a Helen Stickler, on March 10, 2016, reads as follows, according to New York Magazine:
“Bernie: ‘I think America should get a pony.’
Hillary: ‘How will you pay for the pony? Where will the pony come from? How will you get Congress to agree to the pony?’
Bernie: ‘Hillary thinks America doesn’t deserve a pony.’
Bernie Supporters: ‘Hillary hates ponies!’
Hillary: ‘Actually, I love ponies.’
Bernie Supporters: ‘She changed her position on ponies! #WhichHillary? #WitchHillary’
Headline: ‘Hillary Refuses to Give Every American a Pony’
Debate Moderator: ‘Hillary, how do you feel when people say you lie about ponies?’
US Uncut Headline: ‘Congressional Inquiry into Clinton’s Pony Lies.’
Twitter trending: #ponygate”
Supreme “and his supports, immediately understood this passage to be a direct comment on Mr. Supreme’s long standing platform, since giving every American a pony has long been associated with Mr. Supreme’s political platform,” according to the complaint.
Supreme also alleges that denying him the right to protest outside Gibson’s with ponies would rob him of a political opportunity, citing a “groundswell of support in New Hampshire” and the unlikeliness of Clinton holding another event in Concord anytime soon.
Supreme is asking that the court grant an injunction that would allow Supreme to carry out his protest, as well as reimbursement for his legal fees, as well as any damages that would be awarded during trial. He is requesting a jury trial.
Defendants in the case include the City of Concord, Concord police Chief Bradley Osgood, Blake and several miscellaneous Concord municipal employees.
(Caitlin Andrews can be reached at 369-3309, candrews@ cmonitor.com or on Twitter at @ActualCAndrews.)