SPOKANE, Wash. — Bloomsday organizers removed a billboard after people complained about the double meaning that it had.
The billboard at Broadway and Ash read “Our City…Our Race.” This billboard, much like the rest of them scattered throughout the city, is part of the annual Bloomsday race campaign.
Community members wrote emails and posted on Spokane Reddit saying the phrase was worded incorrectly and could be taken the wrong way. In response to the backlash, the Lilac Bloomsday Association took down the billboard today.
In a statement from the association, they explained why the ad was removed.
“The message was intended to reflect the community spirit of Bloomsday. For 50 years, Bloomsday has brought people together to take part in a shared, positive experience,”. They also thanked the people who shared their opinions.
However, not everyone agreed with the ad removal.
Jongsoon Whang, who has participated in the race before, disagreed with the decision.
“It should never be a political thing,” Whang said. “It changes the attitudes of people. It really does, you know, it just the wrong people took it the wrong way.”
New Bloomsday art will go on the back up on the billboard when the vinyl is ready.
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