A controversial sign on private property in Brookfield is turning heads, and prompting calls to police.
The photo says "Make war until Allah reigns supreme" and asks people to read the Quran.
It was discovered Monday afternoon near the corner of Pilgrim Road and Burleigh Place in Brookfield.
Brookfield Police have received numerous complaints. But the homeowner who put up the sign is entitled to free speech, and is not breaking any law or city code.
TODAY’S TMJ4 spoke with a neighbor who belongs to the same Catholic church of the homeowner who put up the sign.
“He and his wife are great people,” said Tony Tenaglia, who lives across the street. “Very smart, very religious. I don’t think they did it to upset people. We had a debate about it.”
The message on the sign changes every few weeks, and typically shares different bible verses. Never before has it referenced war, or the Quran, the central text of Islam.
“I like that he takes it upon himself to do something that’s sort of unique, and I respect his opinion,” Tenaglia said. I enjoy the biblical verses he puts up. But the Quran stuff, I’m not sure what that does. That might not be a good choice, you know?”
While the homeowner who made the sign declined to comment on camera, he said that’s exactly why he put up this latest message:
“It’s to make people think,” he said. “To encourage them to research different religions and the Quran. Do you know anything about the Quran? People criticize without knowing what a peaceful religion Islam is. That’s just one line from the Quran.”
TODAY’S TMJ4 did reach out to some local mosques and the Islamic Society of Milwaukee to get their thoughts, but have not heard back yet.
Police and neighbors just hope the sign doesn’t incite any negative action by strangers.
However, Brookfield Police says that despite numerous complaints to their department, they have the "freedom of speech right" to post it and there are no code violations for the sign.
