A billboard in IN has caused some controversy in the wake of the high-profile police killings and officer-involved shooting deaths of African-American men. It read “Hate cops?” One of those residents was Megan Thomas, who was so furious that she shared a photo of the billboard to Facebook on Saturday morning, writing, “Please tell me Muncie tax dollars didn’t pay for this!”
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That’s the message on an electronic billboard in Muncie, Indiana, and it’s causing controversy both on social media and in the city of about 70,000 people, the Star Press is reporting. “Call a Crackhead” is not new and is not unique to billboards in Muncie, Indiana.
Thomas also noted that a planned protest of police brutality was going to start a few blocks away from the billboard.
“I was very ashamed that something so dividing was present in Muncie.”
Johnson said he was berated by complaints and told the paper that he didn’t hear from anyone about the message on the sign before the controversy unfolded. The billboard was removed a few hours later.
Johnson said he was concerned about online criticism unfairly aimed at Muncie Liquors by people who mistakenly believed the sign belonged to the store, but said he believed by Monday word was out that the liquor store was not connected to the controversial sign.
In her post, which as received 1,200 shares, Thomas called the sign “outrageously offensive and covertly racist”.
“This is not us, this is not our mentality, this is not how we feel”, Johnson told the Star Press.
Reportedly, Muncie Liquors, the store that sits underneath the billboard had nothing to do with its operation. Hometown Outdoor Advertising has returned calls for comment. “Love, Respect, Support Law Enforcement”, read the new billboard.
Similarly, Muncie Police Sgt. Chris Kirby has denied that the Muncie police had anything to do with the sign, nor did the city or the Fraternal Order of Police.
The message was on an electronic billboard in IN, above a liquor store.
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Thomas called on people to contact the owners of the billboard.
