[Vision2020] vandals strike again

[Bill London]

Humanist Billboard Vandalized in Moscow, Idaho.Again

(Washington, D.C, November 4, 2009) An individual or individuals have
defaced a billboard in Moscow, Idaho. again. The billboard originally
read "Millions are good without God" but was partially obscured with
blue paint to now read "Millions are good with God". It's the second
time the American Humanist Association (AHA)-sponsored billboard has
been vandalized in two weeks. In the first instance the word "without"
was completely blacked out, after which the AHA quickly replaced the
billboard. The advertisement, which was originally placed
mid-September, is part of an American Humanist Association advertising
campaign to spread awareness about being good without God. It's the
third billboard advertisement the organization has displayed in the
Moscow area and similar ads have been put up around the country.

A picture of the vandalized billboard can be found here:
http://www.americanhumanist.org/system/storage/29/1225/Picture_002.jpg.
The billboard can be found on Highway 95, just south of Moscow near
the Sweet Avenue cross street, facing northbound traffic.

"The irony here is worth noting," said David Niose, president of the
American Humanist Association. "Some individuals are committing
criminal acts while apparently claiming that their religious view of
the world leads to good behavior. It's not a very convincing argument
on their part."

"This is not just vandalism, it is religiously motivated vandalism
which attempts to silence a minority viewpoint," added Niose.
"Everyone, not just humanists, should be concerned about such acts."

The Moscow Police Department notified the AHA this morning. They
believe the ad defaced between 1 and 3 am. The AHA has alerted the
billboard company who leased the space, Lamar Outdoor, who said they
will start leaving the lights on round the clock. The AHA will be
replacing the billboard but hasn't yet decided whether to go with the
same design.

"I'm disturbed that this happened again," said Roy Speckhardt,
executive director of the American Humanist Association. "Two
consecutive crimes in a town where the last incidence of billboard
vandalism was years ago makes it obvious that humanists and our
message are being targeted."

The American Humanist Association (www.americanhumanist.org) advocates
for the rights and viewpoints of humanists. Founded in 1941 and
headquartered in Washington, D.C., its work is extended through more
than 100 local chapters and affiliates across the United States.

Humanism is the idea that you can be good without a belief in God.

###

Contact:
Karen Frantz
202-238-9088
cell: 703-725-4112
kfrantz at americanhumanist.org
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