Iowa neighbors complain about racial display
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa — A black doll strapped to a cross at a rental home in Council Bluffs has been removed after complaints from neighbors.
Mike Limmer, who rents the home to his granddaughter, says he took the doll down and it won’t be going back up. He says it’s “just stupidity” that it was put up in the first place.
His granddaughter, Dorothy Richards, says she wasn’t sure what the display meant, but it wasn’t meant as a racist statement. She says her boyfriend hung it from the back corner of the house.
Police were called several times by neighbors who complained. Officers removed the display once at Richards’ request, but it was later put back up.
Authorities couldn’t demand that it be taken down. Pottawattamie County Attorney Matt Wilber says the display is covered by constitutional rights to free speech.
Mike Limmer, who rents the home to his granddaughter, says he took the doll down and it won’t be going back up. He says it’s “just stupidity” that it was put up in the first place.
His granddaughter, Dorothy Richards, says she wasn’t sure what the display meant, but it wasn’t meant as a racist statement. She says her boyfriend hung it from the back corner of the house.
Police were called several times by neighbors who complained. Officers removed the display once at Richards’ request, but it was later put back up.
Authorities couldn’t demand that it be taken down. Pottawattamie County Attorney Matt Wilber says the display is covered by constitutional rights to free speech.
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