Posted on Thu, Jun. 04, 2009

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Wichita companies say no to PETA billboards

BY SUZANNE PEREZ TOBIAS

The Wichita Eagle

WICHITA - At least two Wichita billboard companies say they will not run billboards from an animal rights group that were prompted by the death of a local abortion doctor.

"It's in poor taste considering the crisis that's going on in the community right now," said John Lay, president of George Lay Signs Inc.

"I don't see anything patently offensive about the ads, but the timing is just not appropriate."

The proposed billboards, designed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, urge people on both sides of the abortion debate to go vegetarian. One says, "Pro-Life? Go Vegetarian;" the other, "Pro-Choice? Choose Vegetarian."

Lindsay Rajt, campaign manager for PETA, said the billboards were prompted by the shooting death of George Tiller on Sunday at his church.

PETA officials contacted Wichita-area billboard companies earlier this week to inquire about availability and rates. So far none have accepted the ads, Rajt said.

Ron Blue, president of Clear Channel Outdoor, said he considered the billboards but told the group that "we would not be accepting the business."

"We are definitely a believer in free speech, but... we have an obligation to the city of Wichita, and that's probably the factor that weighs out more than any of it," Blue said Thursday.

"I just felt it was ill timing on their part to come in and, honestly, to take advantage of the heightened situation in Wichita right now."

Clear Channel and George Lay Signs have run billboards from the animal-rights group in the past.

Blue's company accepted a billboard years ago directed at the beef industry. Lay's has run an anti-fishing sign that featured a dog with a hook in its mouth and the slogan, "If you wouldn't do this to a dog, why do it to a fish?"

PETA, which has been criticized many times for the style and content of its ads, said Thursday that it does not plan to give up its latest billboard campaign.

"It would be irresponsible not to try to encourage a public dialogue that could result in greater awareness of the role everyone can play in reducing the amount of violence in the world simply by going vegetarian," Rajt said.

"We are still corresponding with other billboard companies and are weighing our options with them."

Reach Suzanne Perez Tobias at 316-268-6567 or stobias@wichitaeagle.com.

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