‘Graphic Edge’ Terminated, Owner Says Decision Was Political

By George Jackson | Reporter-Producer / News Channel 11

Published: September 25, 2009

Original link: http://www2.tricities.com/tri/news/local/article/graphic_edge_terminated_owner_says_decision_was_political/33060/

Johnson City, Tenn.—Two months ago, Dan Fuchs set up shop in the Johnson City Mall.

He said business at ‘Graphic Edge’ was slow until a customer approached him with a request.

That customer asked Fuchs to print an anti-President Obama bumper sticker.

He did, and the idea stuck, so Fuchs expanded his anti-Obama offerings.

The selection became an issue when customers started offering complaints to the mall office.

Dan Fuchs said the merchandise constitutes 60-percent of his sales over the past few weeks.

“I do support the President of the United States,“ Fuchs said.  “In no way did I intend to offend anyone, and I haven’t.  We have freedom of speech,“ he said.

Fuchs said the mall approached him three times in that same period, each time in response to a customer complaint.  During the third visit, he said, the mall issued an ultimatum.

“They could not have any more complaints and I had to take it down immediately or face eviction within 24 hours,“ Fuchs said.

Tembra Aldridge, General Manager of The Mall at Johnson City, said that’s simply untrue—that Fuchs decided to remove all the anti-Obama material himself, and they simply requested a more balanced display.

“We suggested he also sell pro-Obama so that he stays very neutral.“

The issue came to a head Friday.

After Fuchs’ interviewed with 11 Connects and the Johnson City Press, the mall handed him a termination letter.  They instructed him to shut ‘Graphic Edge’ down in the next 24 hours.

Aldridge confirmed the termination and made the following statement: “We’re not going to use our private property as a political forum.  That’s what {Fuchs has} turned this into.“

To view a video version of this report, click the play icon above.