It has come to our attention recently that the logo for the Milwaukee County Parks appeared on at least one of the banners at the Americans For Prosperity-sponsored Tea Party Rally, which was held at the lake front on September 19th.
This is evidenced by a photo reprinted here, with full permission of the photographer:
The fact that the Parks logo appears on the banner could very well lead on to think that Milwaukee County endorsed and/or sponsored this event, which would not be legal. It is bad enough that we had two County elected officials there, especially with the violence, but if someone authorized the illegal endorsement of a political event, that needs to be addressed.
I have sent out emails of inquiry to County Executive Scott Walker, Parks Director Sue Black and to Americans for Prosperity to find out if the use of the logo was authorized and if so, who authorized it. If it was not authorized, it will be interesting to see what actions Milwaukee County will take to correct the misperception that someone from the County actually endorsed a political event such as this.
At the site which is the source of the photo, a commenter claims that it is required by the county parks to have their logo displayed. On the surface, it causes doubt. What if some group like the KKK or other blatantly outrageous group wanted to have an event at a park. Would the County really want any association with it? However, in the interest of fairness, we will look into this claim as well.
I will keep the reader informed as I receive their responses, hopefully in a timely fashion.
This story sounds like it’s going to be as exciting as a patrick mcilheran article.
Well, that was painful.
The liberals can fund ACORN to beat me down at the polls, are using my tax dollars to brainwash my kid in some dirty commie agenda, so why not go after them?
If you can do it we can do it.
Bwahahahaha! 100% legal and no one cares.
Go Parks!
We would not expect any government body to endorse or support any political rally such as this or any of our events either.
Why is it you are seeing ghosts, like the KKK? You people are always making up some ridiculous conspiracy theory.
If the KKK does even exist I guess they’d have the right to free speech too.. that’s what free speech is, not speech you like.
Whatever, I have never seen a KKK member at any rally and I’ve been to scores of them.
Of course, everyone has the right to free speech. But that speech should not be condoned by any governmental body.
I only used the KKK because they are one of the most offensive groups that is easily recognizable. Any correlation between the KKK and AFP is not of our doing.
Um why not go after ACORN (and NEA etc.) and the whole national curriculum that is imposed by UN law?
You’re a hypocrite. A logo does nothing… but these creeps are ruining our country using our own tax dollars against us.
That may or may not be. But as one my surmise from the title of the group, or interest is in Milwaukee County. When ACORN, NEA, NRA or the KKK hold rallies here, we will look at those issues then.
Make that “as one may surmise…”
This may be a big nothing story. Neither side has a link saying that this is right or wrong. It is all hearsay. However, since the Milwaukee County Parks are paid for by tax dollars, the logo may fall under some regulation dealing with public domain. If that is the case, then it is free to use by anyone.
Just to keep you honest, I’ve done my own open records request for copies of your correspondence and any responses.
Amazing turnaround speed on that one, since I am aware of open record requests that have not been fulfilled for months. Go figure.
[...] going to have to ’splain this one to [...]