A private family foundation is trying to scare Black voters away from the polls in Cleveland's Ward 5 community. Several graphic billboards placed around the ward threaten voters that "Voter Fraud is a a felony. Up to 3 1/2 years and a $10,000 fine." The ads were placed on billboards owned by Clear Channel Outdoors, an international media company.
Ward 5 Councilwoman Phylis Cleveland said that this "is voter intimidation...and threat to you if you vote." She's vowed to talk to Clear Channel and find out the backers behind the anonymous family foundation. Voter intimidation is always wrong and it is outrageous in 2012 that an anonymous group is trying to scare Black voters away from the polls in a competitive election.
Here at ColorOfChange we are working to make sure that Black voters have all the resources they need to vote. If you see any forms of voter intimidation in your community, please share it with us at vote.colorofchange.org/racewatch/report.
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