After much controversy, more than 140 billboards warning Ohio and Wisconsin residents that 'Voter Fraud is a Felony' will finally be removed. The anonymous 'private family' sponsor of the billboards will have them removed in exchange for remaining anonymous.
Clear Channel, the company that owned the billboards, donated 10 billboards in Ohio reading 'Voting is a Right. Not a Crime!'
Perhaps one of the most ardent critics of the billboards was Cleveland City Councilwoman Phyllis Cleveland who said, "Needless to say I'm happy they will be taken down but I want to know who was behind this in the first place."
Agreed.
Read more here.
Ten billboards in low-income minority Cleveland neighborhoods are warning voters that 'Voter Fraud is a Felony,' telling residents that they may face jail time and huge fines.
Other billboards have been posted in Wisconsin as well.
Who is paying for these billboards?
They are "paid for by a private family foundation."
This is clearly an attempt to confuse and suppress vulnerable voters.
Phyllis Cleveland, a councilwoman for the city says, "When you have the words 'felony,' 'voter,' and 'fine' all the the
same message, and by placing it where it is, the only message that you
are intending to send is that this is a threat to you if you vote...
It's just a blatant attempt to keep people in this community,
particularly black people and poor people, from voting."
SBW agrees. Read more here.
