A business owner in northwest suburban Prairie Grove was ticketed recently for flying the American flag outside his store, according to the Gateway Pundit.

He was cited twice and fined $200 by the Village for flying American flags outside his restaurant around the Fourth of July.

Terry Trobiani, the owner of Gianelli’s, says he placed two flags along the road in front of his business to celebrate Independence Day.

Just two days later, he was ticketed for “improper display” of what the city is calling “‘temporary signage.”

Trobiani says he has received massive support from patriots across the country who have been reaching out to him.  Over the past few days, as many as fifty protesters have gathered at the restaurant to show their support for the family-owned business.

Even if he wanted to, the restaurant owner says he is unable to pay his ticket unless he signs a Soviet-style letter admitting his guilt along with a subsequent letter promising that he will comply with every sign ordinance in the Village of Prairie Grove, forever.  He plans to fight them in court “even if it costs more than paying the fine.”

In an interview with Fox News, Trobiani spoke about their flawed reasoning for the citations:

“The American flag is a symbol of patriotism, it’s not a sign. They’re equating it with open-closed, dine in-dine out, product that you would serve in a restaurant.  That’s why it falls under sign ordinance.”