Gun Range's 'Racist' Billboard Under Fire In SJ

A South Jersey gun range finds itself in the cross hairs of two groups who believe two signs they have posted are racist and should be taken down. “The Only Time We Take A Knee …” the billboard posted by the South Jersey Shooting Club on Route 73 in Voorhees reads. Next to the words, it has a silhouette of a person on one knee pointing a rifle.

The billboard is a reference to the recent controversy that has erupted involving football players taking a knee before and during the national anthem. It began last year when then San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem to speak out against racial inequality. Because of the circumstances surrounding the genesis of this controversy, racial tensions are high surrounding this issue. The billboard is not immune to the controversy.

"Please call!," South Jersey Women for Progressive Change member Moneke Ragsdale posted on Twitter. "This billboard is on Rt. 73 in Voorhees. Tell them this billboard is racist. Taking a knee is a protest to say NO to police brutality. The women of SJWPC are taking a knee to support black and brown people. Take it down!"

A member of the club told philly.com that when she called to complain, a person at the club hung up on her. NACCP Camden County East Chapter Member Keith Benson Sr. calls the billboard and a digital sign the club posted in Pennsauken “racially divisive” and told the media outlet he has also encouraged people to call the Winslow Township-based club and complain. The club says the signs aren’t meant to be racist, and that there are no plans to take them down.

The club, which is an NRA Gold Club Affiliate according to its website, has received both criticism and praise on its Facebook page.

“I don't care for your ad on Rt. 73,” one person posted. “I'm sure there's a way to advertise responsible common sense firearm training and use that's not offensive.”

“But ‘Responsible and common Sense’ isn't the message he wants to send,” read one response to the comment.

“Love the sign on 73!” one person wrote.

Since Kaepernick took a knee prior to an exhibition game last summer, he opted out of his contract with the 49ers and has not been signed by an NFL team since. It was also later reported that he would’ve been released if he didn’t opt out on his own.

Other players began taking a knee, prompting President Donald Trump to call for a boycott of the NFL this season. Kaepernick supporters have also called for a boycott if the quarterback isn’t signed.

Protests have spread beyond the NFL game. Last month, Albright College cut a backup quarterback for kneeling during the national anthem, and high school football players have joined the protests, including in New Jersey. Kaepernick has also been named "Citizen of the Year" by GQ Magazine.

A picture of the billboard on 73, posted on the NAACP Camden County East Chapter's Facebook page, can be seen below.

Photo of Colin Kaepernick and others taking a knee by John Bazemore/File/Associated Press