We’re striking at a newspaper in part by running a strike “paper,” so we get fighting fire with fire.
We approve of a new billboard in Armstrong County, which until now hasn’t been something you’d hear us say.
But in response to electronic billboards along Route 422 in Worthington that “many consider to be racist, homophobic, anti-Semitic and hateful” and that recently were replicated in Butler County, the Armstrong County Democratic Committee has fired up a billboard of its own.
Directly across Route 422 from Worthington’s not-welcoming billboard, the committee rented one to present a welcoming and inclusive message.
“The constant barrage of messages on the other billboards have given our entire county a bad name,” said Chuck Pascal, chairman of the Armstrong County Democratic Committee, in a news release sent to the Pittsburgh Union Progress. “We have heard from many people who have said the messages made them feel fearful and unwelcome here, just because of who they are.”
Pascal said the messages have harmed economic development efforts and efforts to attract new residents. So the committee responded to “make it clear that those other messages don’t speak for the majority of people in our county” he said. “Most people here are welcoming to everyone.”
The new billboard tells people, “You have a friend in Armstrong County,” no matter what you look like, who you love, what your religion is or where you’re from.
Committee members sought donations for their message and, “The response was strong and immediate,” he said, from local residents as well as people from around the region and even other states, and brought in enough money to keep up the billboard for several months. “There’s obviously a real desire to reject hateful extremism, and to express support for an inclusive and welcoming message.”
People may donate at https://secure.actblue.com/donate/standupagainsthate.
Armstrong Democrats “are speaking up for the good people of Armstrong County — of all parties — who have been appalled at the constant hate being spewed across the road,” Pascal said. “Those messages are not who we are.”
Bob, a feature writer and editor at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, is currently on strike and serving as interim editor of the Pittsburgh Union Progress. Contact him at bbatz@unionprogress.com.
