A Company Hung A “Racist” Sign the Window And Now People Are Losing It…

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A closed sign taped to the door of the Harry E Reed Insurance Agency in Millinocket Monday has raised the ire of local officials and residents for its racist messaging.

Residents in the town of Millinocket, Maine, say they are outraged and disappointed after a local insurance agency displayed a racist sign remarking on the Juneteenth holiday. Progressive and Allstate are terminating their relationships with the agency, according to representatives of the insurance companies.

“Juneteenth ~it’s whatever… We’re closed. Enjoy your fried chicken & collard greens,” the sign stated in a large font. It was taped to the front of the Agency on Monday. The small town sits about three hours outside Portland and some 50 miles away from the U.S.-Canada border.

An image of the racist sign was shared online Monday, gaining the attention of thousands across social media.

Progressive confirmed to Insurance Business that it will be terminating the relationship with the insurance agency.

A Progressive spokesperson said:

“We’re aware and appalled by the sign recently posted at the Harry E Reed Agency and are terminating our relationship with the agency. At Progressive, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) are fundamental to our Core Values.

“We’re committed to creating an environment where our people feel welcomed, valued and respected and expect that anyone representing Progressive to take part in this commitment. The sign is in direct violation of that commitment and doesn’t align with our company’s core values and code of conduct.”

Allura Stillwagon, who shared the sign with her online following, said:

“I had to read it more than once because I thought it was something [my mom] saw on Facebook. But when she said it was a business [in town], I was immediately disgusted.”

“People have this idea that Maine isn’t very racist and that it’s pretty liberal. But up north, it’s not like that at all,” Stillwagon said.

Steve Golieb, chair of Millinocket Town Council, condemned the sign as a “blatant disregard of human decency”.

“It is deeply saddening, disgraceful and unacceptable for any person to attempt to make light of Juneteenth and what it represents for millions of slaves and their living descendants,” Golieb said.

Millinocket is a “beautiful place to live,” Golieb said, and the town “does not accept or endorse anything short of inclusivity”.

Juneteenth is a federal US holiday that commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, celebrated on June 19.

Source: AWM