KEMP (WBAP/KLIF) – Officials with the City of Kemp are reviewing legal options regarding a pro-confederacy billboard aimed at the City of Dallas.
The city released a statement Thursday indicating it has received negative feedback about the billboard that shows a cartoon Confederate Soldier urinating on an image of the Dallas skyline. It’s believed the billboard is in response to recent votes by the Dallas City Council to remove Confederate monuments from the city.
According to the statement, the City of Kemp is not permitted to approve or disapprove billboard content. But the city has contacted the Dallas Mavericks to inform them that it appears the team’s logo is being used on the billboard. The city said it assumes the Mavericks will take whatever legal steps deemed necessary to protect its property rights. The team declined to comment.
The sign stirred up controversy after it was put up earlier this week. Many Kemp residents said they weren’t offended by the Confederate message on the sign, but instead, the gesture of the cartoon soldier urinating.
Below is the full statement from the City of Kemp:
The City of Kemp recently became aware of a message posted on a billboard at the intersection of Ninth Street and U.S. 175. The message on the billboard has been deemed to be offensive by a great many City residents. Please be advised that the City is not authorized or permitted to approve or disapprove billboard content. The billboard is located on private property owned by Mark S. and Gerrie F. Chancellor, whose address according to County property records is 28498 Private Road 6103, Kemp, Texas 75143.
Additionally, the billboard message appears to utilize a copy of a Dallas Mavericks basketball jersey logo. The Dallas Mavericks have been notified that its logo is being used and it is assumed by the City that the Mavericks will take whatever legal steps deemed necessary to protect its intellectual property rights.
The City does not tolerate abusive, profane or disruptive speech and is aware that the billboard message is found by many residents to be hurtful. Further, the message conveyed by the billboard is not one supported by the overwhelming majority of Kemp residents. While the City must adhere to the First Amendment to the Constitution relative to free speech rights, the City nonetheless will continue to review its legal options in this matter. In the meantime, residents should feel free to contact the property owner to express their opinions about the billboard.
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