Gun shop's billboard targeting Democratic congresswomen sparks outcry: 'Racist'
A North Carolina gun shop ignited a social media firestorm with a billboard calling 4 congresswomen — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota — “idiots.”
Cherokee Guns, located in Murphy, N.C., first shared a photo of the billboard Facebook on Sunday. The full message read “The 4 Horsemen are Idiots,” above photos of the congresswomen. Below the photos of the four freshmen lawmakers, it says, “Signed, the Deplorables.”
The Facebook post immediately generated an influx of shares and comments. Some condemned the store for the billboard’s message.
“So much stupidity on here,” someone commented. “Regardless if you like their opinion or not they are entitled to it. They were voted in by a majority that agrees with them. Stop showing how uneducated some of you are bc you don't understand simple facts.”
Another added “Until we can learn to disagree with respect and kindness, our country cannot aspire to greatness. Debate with intellect, reason, and compassion what is best for the country we love and move forward. We are better than this.”
Others thanked Cherokee Guns for exercising its right to free speech.
One person wrote “Just totally love love your billboard!! Stay strong in your freedom of speech and expression!!”
“LOVE THE BILLBOARD!! Trump has nothing to do with how most of us feel about this 'broad squad'!! Ive been on them on Twitter since I knew how stupid dangerous they are to OUR COUNTRY!!! Keep up the good work!!” someone else commented.
The four congresswomen were targeted on social media after Trump posted tweets earlier this month saying that Omar, Ocasio-Cortez, Tlaib and Pressley — who are all people of color — should “go back” to the “places from which they came.” This fueled an onslaught of backlash from the public, the women themselves as well as public figures, who condemned his words as “racist.”
The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, a social welfare organization focused on “policy development, strategic engagement, and effective advocacy,” shared the billboard in a Facebook post on Monday, calling it “Disgusting anti-government violent rhetoric.”
“Threats against members of Congress, particularly minority members are [rising’ and it is driven by the president’s racial rhetoric,” the post says. “This is dangerous!!!”
However, online attention has only given Cherokee Guns more incentive to continue. On Monday, it announced it was making “The 4 Horsemen are Idiots” car bumper stickers in another Facebook post.
“Alright my fellow Infidels for Trump...due to OVERWHELMING demand...you may come by the shop (next week) and get your very own FOUR HORSEMEN COMETH STICKER...” their post reads. “Simple...eat a piece of bacon...tell us you're voting for Trump in 2020...then get your limited edition bumper sticker!! (While supplies last!) Snowflakes and Liberals are not eligible...sorry...”
While Cherokee Guns did not immediately respond to Yahoo Lifestyle’s request for comment, an employee told a McClatchy newsgroup reporter that the owner had left instructions on what to do if “threatening liberals” came through the door.
“Show them the door, or your gun, and tell them they can buy their own billboard and pay for it like I did,” the staff member said.
Representatives from the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence did not immediately respond to Yahoo Lifestyle’s request for comment.
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