There is controversy surrounding Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop’s decision to remove hundreds of newspaper boxes from around the city.

The boxes are scattered throughout Jersey City and feature free newspaper publications. The boxes are owned by the publications.

City crews have removed hundreds of the boxes. Fulop says that they are unsightly and pose a potential hazard.

“We want them to keep their boxes clean, not filled with graffiti and not becoming trash receptacles,” Fulop says.

The mayor says that many of the boxes have been abandoned and pose a security risk since many sit above the PATH station.

Fulop says that the owners can file the proper approvals and get the boxes back.

Publisher “Indypendent” and others say that they believe taking the boxes away, even temporarily, violates their rights and the First Amendment.