SPRINGVILLE, Ala. (WIAT) — On a damp and dreary Monday, there’s still a warm feeling emanating from the Springville Cafe. The restaurants slogan is, “It’s where Springville meets to eat.” On this day, there’s a nearly non-stop assembly line going through the cafeteria-style line, making it appear as if it is indeed where the entire town comes to grab lunch.
There’s also a fair amount of talking.
The hot topic of conversation is a new billboard looming over exit 154 off Interstate 59. The Springville/Odenville exit now has a sign that conveys a message that residents say doesn’t apply to either city. “It made me feel like someone was coming into our small little town to try and create controversy,” says Nancy Heaton.
The billboard isn’t advertising a product or service. It reads, “Diversity Means Chasing Down The Last White Person. #WhiteGenocide.” While it is not known who put the message up, White Genocide is a group whose website says their purpose and mission “is to bring awareness to the planet about the ongoing program of genocide against White people, which is the effort to change the majority White countries of the world into countries that have at the least a tiny White minority, and at most no Whites at all.”
A picture of the sign off I-59 is featured on the White Genocide Project’s home page.
A call to Dyar Signs, the company listed on the billboard, went unanswered.
The Springville residents are angry. “We don’t have that here,” says Chip Hughes. “Period. At all.” Heaton agrees, adding, “I am not racist, and I don’t know anyone in here who is.”
Springville Mayor William Isley sent a statement on the billboard to WIAT 42. It reads:
The City of Springville has a history of promoting racial harmony for many years. Any message which cuts against such harmony is very disturbing to the City and is inconsistent with the desires and intent of the City government. The City has no connection or control over the sign at issue and denounces the message thereon as being racially offensive. The City intends to examine all legal avenues available to seek the removal of the sign.
Sincerely,
City of Springville
William Isley
Mayor
Copyright 2015 WIAT 42 News
