Since we deal in autism . . . . I do a LOT of professional work using Photoshop, so took a closer look. I don't see any clear evidence that the image was manipulated. It is common to find telltale pixelation anomalies (ala the Obummer "birth certificate") around the perimeter of images which have been manipulated. I see none here. It is possible that the image AND frame were created and then pasted electronically onto the sign image, but magnification of the sign corners reveals what appear to be real metal corner plates, and there is a platform brace on the left side that is in the foreground in front of the image that also does not appear to be manipulated. The sign frame itself reveals discoloration in the grey hues which is consistent with galvanized metal or aluminum in daylight. A manipulated image COULD be made to achieve that effect, but it would be very tedious and time-consuming unless the variations were copied and pasted -- but i find no evidence of that.

The lighting IS odd, to be sure. I appears that the sun may have been obscured by clouds (PF reference for fans), as the lighting for all areas of the sign is diffuse. For that reason it is impossible to determine where the sun was in the sky at the time when the photo was taken, and it is therefore impossible to validate whether or not the image was created or manipulated by noting the absence of a shadow line. From what I'm seeing, there should be a slight shadow on the left side of the right-hand sign frame as the sun appears to be off to the right, but again this is an educated guess and has no solid bearing on the debate here. As an electronic image, I would still expect to see a slight shadow -- or even a reflection - from the frame on either side of the image.

My conclusion is that there is no solid evidence, one way or the other.

All this said, I truly HOPE it is real! Would love to see an actual image snapped by a fellow pede in the area.

"WHY IN THE WORLD would a fellow pede spend so much effort on something so benign," one might ask? And why would I get in the middle of a debate about a message which I love anyway, whether real or not? The answer is (for Joepardy fans): My remote computer link isn't working, and I'm waiting for home base to reconnect me. Just happened to have some extremely rare spare time! kek