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Intimidating billboards put up in black neighborhoods printable version

13 Oct 2012: posted by the editor - United States

A US action group has launched a campaign to remove posters that it says are designed to scare black people away from voting.

In a press statement released today the group, colorofchange.org,said: "It's one of the nastiest voter suppression schemes we've seen: This week, in Black and Latino neighborhoods in Ohio and Wisconsin, an anonymous group started running outrageous billboards that try to scare people away from voting.¹

"Allowing an anonymous advertiser to create an atmosphere of fear around voting just as the early voting period begins is unacceptable. Please join us in demanding that Clear Channel immediately take down these offensive and dangerous billboards (and please ask your friends and family to do the same):

http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/billboards

"These billboards are clearly designed to intimidate voters, and they're part of a coordinated right-wing attack on the voting rights of people of color. The billboards are hosted by Clear Channel, a media conglomerate owned by Bain Capital — the same company that Mitt Romney co-founded.² Clear Channel has tried to avoid any responsibility for the ads, saying that the group who paid for them is responsible for the content. But Clear Channel has rejected billboard ads many times in the past.^3,4,5

"The myth of widespread "voter fraud" has been used to justify voter suppression efforts again and again. As a result, we've seen new restrictions on voting and voter registration, including discriminatory voter ID laws and voter roll purges. The fact is that voter fraud rarely occurs. In fact, voter fraud happens as infrequently as death by lightning.⁶

"Clear Channel syndicates some of our country's most conservative commentators like Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh, and now it is allowing the myth of voter fraud to intimidate Black and Latino voters. Please join us in demanding that Clear Channel immediately remove the billboards, it only takes a moment.

"http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/billboards

"Thanks and Peace,

"-- Rashad, Arisha, Dani,Charlene, Aimee and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
October 13th, 2012"

Help support our work. ColorOfChange.org is powered by YOU—your energy and dollars. We take no money from lobbyists or large corporations that don't share our values, and our tiny staff ensures your contributions go a long way. You can contribute here:

http://www.colorofchange.org/donate

References

1. "Ohio voter fraud billboard accused of intimidating black voters," The Grio, 10-05-12,
http://thegrio.com/2012/10/05/ohio-voter-fraud-billboard-accused-of-intimidating-black-voters

2. "Does Romney's Bain Capital Support Voter Suppression," Daily Kos, 10-10-12,
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/10/10/1142856/-Does-Romney-s-Bain-Capital-Support-Voter-Suppression

3. “Clear Channel Rejects Times Square Peace Billboard Timed for RNC," Democracy Now,07-14-2004
http://www.democracynow.org/2004/7/14/clear_channel_rejects_times_square_peace

4. "St. Pete Pride gay-themed digital billboards rejected by Clear Channel Outdoor," 10 News
http://http://act.colorofchange.org/go/1854?t=10&akid=2684.1479444.pWNLEI

5. "Clear Channel Rejects Billboard Highlighting Heartland Institute’s Corporate Funders,"Forecast the Facts, 05-17-2012
http://forecastthefacts.org/press/releases/2012/5/17/clear-channel-rejects-billboard-highlighting-heart/

6. "The Myth of Voter Fraud," Washington Post, 03-29-07,
http://www.brennancenter.org/content/resource/the_myth_of_voter_fraud/

Tags: racist billboards

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