A recent political rally in Anchorage had a particular focus on standing against recent incidents of smashed and stolen political signs and the spread of hateful and racist messages.
Organized by the campaign of Shelley Hughes, who’s running for governor, the Aug. 5 gathering’s stated goal was to call out “the violent destruction of political signs that have occurred in recent weeks, most notably in South Anchorage against Republican candidates.”
“Security cameras captured footage of three individuals cutting a large swastika across a Hughes/Gettys sign on private property in the middle of the night, destroying the sign while also spreading a message of hate, racism, and terror,” a notice about the rally stated. “Other candidates’ signs in Anchorage this election season have been pulverized with a sledgehammer; some have been knocked down and broken apart, others spray painted.”
On Aug. 1, the Repeal Now political group that is working to ditch Alaska’s controversial ranked-choice voting system reported that one of their “Yes on 2” signs was recently stolen in broad daylight.
“We want to share an unfortunate incident that happened recently to one of our dedicated supporters,” the group posted to X. “A security camera captured a woman pulling up to a supporter’s property, jumping out, and stealing a campaign yard sign before speeding off.”
The incident was reported to police.
“We strongly object to and condemn the theft, defacement, or destruction of any campaign signs, regardless of the campaign or candidate,” the Repeal Now group stated. “This incident is the kind of petty, dirty politics that has no place in Alaska. We are all neighbors, and surely we can engage in the political process with maturity, mutual respect, and basic decency.”
Hughes echoed this sentiment.
“No matter where you are on the political spectrum, we all know this is wrong,” she said. “We should win elections with ideas and votes, not intimidation and destruction. Political disagreement is part of our representative democracy; vandalism is not.”
The rally was held outside Belle’s Nursery where one of the more egregious acts of vandalism occurred.
8 Comments
Yard signs are legal. Stealing them is vile and I hope they catch that person. However, roadway signs are NOT legal. They are an eyesore and worse than seeing litter. I detest them, even from the candidates that I like. No one obeys that law. Strange, isn’t it? Politicians on both sides of the spectrum run for office in order to enact laws, but they don’t care to obey the ones that they don’t like. What would happen if the DOT and state troopers sent out a semi-truck to start collecting them? Suppose a “Good Samaritan” did that, and presented the illegal highways signs as a present to the nearest DOT warehouse? How about ditching an unpopular law, then? The HOWLS from the left would likely be the loudest. We would have “Eat at Joe’s” signs everywhere, and then — Oh, the humanity! — BILLBOARDS.
What is a “roadway sign”? Some signs along the road are actually on private property.
Responding to political sign damage with a rally seems odd. Having it at Bell’s Nursery, which is not visible from any roadway, seems additionally odd. Are they just gathering to share their feelings, or what?
Repeal Now to end RCV has had 5 of their large signs damaged. Can’t keep up with all the yard signs stolen. When you can’t win an issue, you lie, steal and do anything necessary to stop it. The same group here is the same group behind Yes on 1, No on 2, JKT for Governor and any other liberal cause in the state. All headed by our favorite attorney Scott Kendall.
“ When you can’t win an issue, you lie, steal and do anything necessary to stop it.” You know, I’m sure, that your claim applies more forcefully to the January 6 Capital henchmen and floor poopers than petty sign vandals.
I recently had a DOT representative on my radio show. Yes, some are on private property. But others are jammed right into the shoulder, ditches and right-of-way. The DOT only OCCASIONALLY confiscates them, then puts them in a warehouse for the owners to claim them. Since this is a law without a punishment, why not simply repeal it, and go total libertarian with all other types of signage?
this began when an assemblywoman from Anchorage was caught stealing political signs. You will never guess which political party she was supported by.
It’s genuinely frustrating to see political discourse descend into such petty acts. Destroying signs, especially with hateful symbols, really damages the democratic process. This kind of block blast against property just cheapens everything and makes it harder for serious conversations to happen.