Local Road Sign Draws Comparison Between Obama, Monkey

A road sign that draws the comparison between presidential candidate Barack Obama and a monkey is drawing complaints in Paulding County. A family who saw the sign while heading to a bike ride on the Silver Comet Trail told Channel 2 the sign is offensive and should be removed. But the man who put it up said he has no intention of doing that.

A woman going on a bike ride said she found a sign that says, “A monkey. A Obama. Is there a difference,” hateful and disturbing.

“Just shocked. Just shocked basically, saddened by it,” said the woman who did not want to be identified.

Patrick Lanzo, the owner of the Georgia Peach Oyster Bar, put up the message on his sign. He said he has no regrets or apologies.

TOM REGAN: Message On Sign Compares Obama To Monkey

“They’re still entitled to put their own sign up. I mean, if it offends them, fine, but in the United States we still have free speech and it’s the only thing that hasn’t been taken from us,” said Lanzo.

Channel 2’s Tom Regan asked Lanzo if he was racist and he said he wasn’t. He did say he allowed the Ku Klux Klan to use the property behind his bar for rallies but added that a gay rights group was also invited on one occasion.

Lanzo had a framed photo of a sign he posted about the Michael Jackson acquittal – which used the “N” word. That sign drew protests from the NAACP and unsuccessful demands for authorities to have it taken down.

“I believe in your right and my right or anybody else’s right to say what they want without being criticized as being a racist,” said Lanzo.

Some nearby residents said they believe Lanzo posting inflammatory statements brings down the entire neighborhood. “I see it more or less as representing that community,” said one man.