HOULTON, Maine — A sign deemed too political to be hung on town property has raised the ire of a Houlton attorney who owns the painting.
Twenty-five years ago, June 5, 1989, the image of a lone man standing in front of a row of tanks in Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China became one of the iconic images of the 20th century. Taken the morning after the Chinese military had suppressed the Tiananmen Square protests, the photo achieved world-wide acclaim.
“I was always impressed with the spirit of the individual that was portrayed in the picture,” Richard Rhoda said.
Back in 2010, Rhoda had a painting made of that iconic image, by Houlton artist Roger Morin. That painting has been displayed at the Greater Houlton Christian Academy in the past, but Rhoda said considering it was the 25th anniversary of that historic event, the image should be displayed for the general public to see.
So last Wednesday morning, Rhoda attached the painting to the “Welcome, Entering Houlton Market Square,” sign at the intersection of Kendall Street, Bangor Road, North Road and Main Street. The sign was up for only a short period of time before town officials told him he had to remove it immediately.
“This picture was considered one of the most important images of the 20th century and Life Magazine named that man (who was never identified) as one of the most important individuals of the 20th century,” Rhoda said. “I thought down in Union Square would be a perfect location. From Tiananmen Square to Union Square … we stand united.”
The only problem was members of the Houlton Town Council deemed the subject matter too political and controversial to be displayed on town-owned property.
“I felt that triangle of land was sort of the free speech area of town,” Rhoda said. “That is where people put their political election posters. I was told there was no negotiating, either I take it down or they would.”
Rhoda relented and removed the image, moving it to Dawn and Ed Degenhardt’s property on the North Road.
