Controversial sign stirs up Palmer

PALMER, Mass. (WWLP) - Russell Baker makes his opinion known with a sign in front of his shop in Palmer.

It now reads "Muslims will destroy us from within." He says he has the right to voice his opinion.

Baker says, "I have a tendency to express my opinion, and so on, which a lot of people don't like, but the majority of people do.  I'm just trying to change people's minds as far as what is really going on in life."

Neighbors say he changes the sign about once a week and often times those driving by voice their opinion either in support or against the sign.

Baker says many people support his message, but neighbors in the area don't think his opinions need to be made so public.

Rudy Julian lives down the street and says, "I believe in this day in age, when we ought to be practicing more tolerance, that we shouldn't be putting things like that up in public."

And, Baker has said the FBI came to his house twice because of the signs, but neighbors say it's his property.

Rebecka Gouvin lives next door and says, "It kind of causes a lot of controversy over here: there's people stopping and giving him problems, but his opinion is appreciated I guess.  I don't really have much more to say about it."

Baker says he started putting up the sign about two years ago when Obama took office.