Leeds denounces billboard

Published 12:14 pm Wednesday, July 2, 2014

The City of Leeds is seeking to distance itself from a billboard on I-20 westbound that municipal leaders say “carries a message with racial overtones.”

The billboard, which reads “Anti-racist is a code word for anti-white” as it faces drivers on I-20 West headed toward Birmingham before the I-459 interchange, has drawn a measure of controversy in recent days.  The sign is attributed to no name or organization, and it remains unclear who paid for or posted it.

“While this billboard is actually in Birmingham, the impression to passersby is that it its within our city limits,” said Leeds Mayor David Miller.  “The City of Leeds is a community with a long history of racial harmony, of which we are very proud and to which we are very committed.  The City of Leeds, its mayor, council, and citizens want to make it clear to all that it has no connection with this sign and categorically and unequivocally denounces the racist message portrayed on this billboard.”

According to report by the Southern Poverty Law Center, the sign’s wording can be connected to segregationist writings that date back to 2006.