The backlash against a government decision to move Katherine's waving man Jim Ashworth from beneath his shady Mahogany has been immense.
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Hundreds of Katherine residents have thrown their support behind Mr Ashworth and condemned the decision.
But in the dark of Friday night, perhaps the most powerful rebuke took place.
A 'Jesus loves waving man' banner was adorned on the Katherine Railway Bridge.
It's an ode to Katherine's most notorious sign: 'Jesus loves nachos', painted on the bridge almost decades ago and just barely visible today.
No one knows who is behind the protest. And no one knows how long the banner will remain as the waving man counts down his final days.
The NT Government is changing its rules around how businesses and activities are conducted in road reserves.
A 12 month moratorium has been in place, but is due to end on February 16, which means that next month, road side vendors and businesses will need to have a permit to operate.
Jim Ashworth, known to many as Katherine's waving man who sells plants on the side of the Stuart Highway, was notified by the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics, of the changes a couple of months ago.
The Department told the Katherine Times, Mr Ashworth's current location poses a danger to the flow of traffic.
But Mr Ashworth doesn't want to go. He's become an institution with his waves to every single car that passes by on the busy highway.
To beat any boredom of retirement, for the past four years, on even the hottest of days where the temperature soars past 30 degrees, Mr Ashworth is there beneath his Mahogany.
He says it is the shadiest tree in Katherine.
"I don't get a lot of people stopping, and sometimes it's just a $10 sale for the day. But I've been doing this for years, and there is nowhere else that would be quite the same," Mr Ashworth said.
The government is now facing a heavy groundswell of criticism.
Social media erupted this week, with hundreds of people throwing their weight behind Mr Ashworth.
"Always puts a smile on my face when Jim's there. Good example of when a small country town should be able to be flexible with choices, helping a good bloke who is making a living and making people happy while he does it," one person wrote.
"I'm a truckie and it's a ritual to see him. I sometimes worry when I don't see him, hope he's doing ok. He is Katherine, would be sad to see him moved," another person commented.
And they kept coming.
"Oh come on!!! Let's hope common sense prevails. I love driving into Katherine and getting a wave," was another.
"I would have thought that the government department named, would have better things to do, I've sent a email to the department."
"Leave Jim alone... We as locals need to stand behind him somehow. There is no danger in where he is and alway located. Time to get our heads together and save him from being moved on from his spot."
"Why can't they just leave Jim alone? He is a friendly face especially in these difficult times. He always cheers everyone up. Leave the poor man alone! Jim is a Katherine icon."
A petition to 'Save the Wave' has also been generated, and has already garnered hundreds of signatures.
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