Putin propaganda or Princeton prank? (updated)
A large black truck plastered with Russian President Vladimir Putin posters was spotted parked in the heart of Princeton on Thursday, sparking confusion and outrage by some Princeton residents.
The posters on the back and sides of the truck included a photo of Putin and the message: “Disarm Ukraine. Vote Yes on Referendum 4. Support Putin.”
Nothing on the posters identified the group sponsoring them.
The truck had a Maine license plate and was parked on Nassau Street near the intersection of Bank Street. The posters appear to support Russia taking four areas of Ukraine at first glance, but appear to be satire in response to a proposal at Princeton University related to the Gaza conflict.
Referendum No. 5 calls on Princeton University to divest its endowment from companies involved in weapons manufacturing. It will be voted on by undergraduate voters next week. A student group that supports Israel is opposing the campaign and argues it could also harm other countries that face threats.
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No thanks
Slava Ukraini!
This looks obviously satirical.
Thank you for posting! This truck is parading in Princeton again today.
I’ve been calling the police department and talking to the Chief of Police Chris Tash. Their response is that there is nothing they can do. They will give the driver a parking ticket if it is parked illegally. That’s it!
It is infuriating that the internationally recognized terrorist is allowed to advertise for his despicable acts openly on the streets of democratic american cities without consequences. This happened on the same day as Russia launched a supersonic ballistic weapon to Ukrainian city of Dnipro.
This ad is Putin’s laughing at our democracy and giving a taste of what he can do inside of our cities. He is testing if our institutions will stop it or we say ‘well it is a freedom of speech’.
If the truck had swastika and Hitler’s portrait on it. Would it be ok as well?
I feel this war came to Princeton now.
We must stop it!
Marina, To answer your question, of course it would ‘be ok’ if a truck had a swastika and Hitler’s portrait. That’s precisely what the ACLU fought for in Skokie many years ago, back when the organization fought for the First Amendment. Hell, one is even within his rights in Princeton to have a Trump sticker. Of course, your car may be keyed or spat on by one of Princeton’s ‘tolerant and inclusive’ lefties.
I think this is a satirical advertisement related to a student government referendum at the University. https://www.dailyprincetonian.com/article/2024/11/princeton-news-stlife-weapons-divestment-opposition-usg-referendum-israel-palestine.
These trucks should be banned from Princeton. The other ones I have seen in town called out a Princeton professor by name and equated them and the Palestinians with NAZIs, and another one promotes a Jim Jones style, Islamic based cult.
“Banned from Princeton?” Yet another person who fails to understand the First Amendment, lol.