Atlanta fights anti-choice billboards in its black neighborhoods, again

Some black residents in Atlanta are angry over anti-choice billboards in their neighborhoods and believe they are being unfairly targeted. “All they do is attempt to shame women and condemn the choices that they make,” said Nikema Williams of Planned Parenthood to 11Alive Atlanta, a local NBC Affiliate. One of the billboards shows a photo of a young black girl, a bow in her hair, with the words “Dad’s Princess” next to her smiling face.

A protest was held on Thursday in Atlanta calling for the removal of the billboards, according to a report by 11Alive Atlanta.

The phone number listed on the billboard is of Pro-life Across America, an organization whose website claims its billboards are “often the only sign of hope and help to those in need.” Fusion called the organization for comment but no one could be reached. A recorded message did confirm they are indeed behind the billboards. “We’re the billboard people!” the voice says. The organization also claims to be “Totally educational and non-political,” according to its voice recording.

This is not the first time Atlanta has had anti-choice billboards erected in its black neighborhoods. Back in 2010 billboards with the words “endangered species” caused great controversy in the city.

Atlanta is not the only city whose black community has been targeted with billboards like these. Last year billboards popped up in Memphis and Cincinatti.

Cherisse Scott over at RH Reality Check responds to anti-choice billboards in black communities: “Black Americans overwhelmingly support abortion—in fact, 80 percent of Black Americans believe abortion should remain legal regardless of their personal feelings,” she writes. “This vast majority holds true with those identifying as conservative (74 percent) and those identifying as religious (76 percent).”

Collier Meyerson is a reporter at Fusion with a focus on race and politics. She lives in Brooklyn.