Washington: The views of a pastor in Harlem, US, that President Barack Obama “Is Evil” have angered many locals.
Pastor James David Manning has put up "Obama Is Evil" and "He Used Black Vote to Uncle Tom For Wall St." on the towering sign outside the ATLAH World Missionary Church on the bustling corner of Lenox Ave. and W. 123rd St, a newspaper reports.
A church next to Manning`s has distanced itself from the posts to make sure nobody thought their church had anything to do with ATLAH.
"This church is not affiliated with the church on the corner. We Support President Barack Obama," a sign above the front door of Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church reads.
The controversial sign at ATLAH, which Manning changes from time to time, has targeted Obama since he took office, and has become an attraction for pedestrians, as well as tourists passing by on double-decker buses, the paper said.
"It`s not something that represents this community. It sends out a message that all of Harlem is not supporting Obama and that`s not true. I don`t think that`s the case in Harlem," someone who lives near the church and walks past the sign every day said.
Disappointed over tourists’ acts of taking photos of the sign, she said: "I just don`t like that it`s so prevalent. He didn`t have anything up about former President Bush. I would be very happy if it came down. This is actually nicer than what he had before."
As Manning posed for photos under the sign, he was confronted by a ticked-off resident, saying: "You put that up there?" to which Manning responded, "Yes, sir."
"I`m ashamed of it!" the resident added.
ANI
