Monday, August 22, at noon, protesters stood outside of the Dispatch offices chanting "Dispatch, Disgrace" in anger to what they perceived as a disrespect to the memory of local social crusader Bill Moss. Two days after he unexpectedly passed away, the Dispatch ran a cartoon caricature of him beating a shoe demanding to get into heaven. There has been an uproar in Columbus over what was perceived to be a very disrespectful and unfair portrayal in death of a former school board member and community leader.
Barry Edney of the Ordinary People's Movement, said "This was payback for Bill Moss's telling the truth. The Dispatch spent thousands trying to get him off of the school board and the decision to run the cartoon involved Mike Curtin, an editor and the cartoonist." When Edney was asked what he thought about the comment by Mike Curtin on the radio that Bill Moss would have laughed at the cartoon, he said "Yeah but it would be more of a chuckle at their ignorance."
They will continue the boycott of the Dispatch until a letter of apology is written, and he said "We would like to see some positive press coverage in our community. We want to see positive role models and leadership shown."
He also criticized Mayor Coleman for not speaking out against this but for jumping on the bandwagon against Taft and the recent corruption scandals involving the Ohio GOP. He didn't expect Coleman to actually come out though, because he is dependent upon the Wolfes (owners of the Dispatch) and corporate support for his campaign.
This protest was much about keeping the memory of Bill Moss alive. Glory Kilgore, who was wearing an ACORN (Association of Community Organizers for Reform Now) shirt, said in speaking to Mrs. Moss, "Bill is still alive" due to protests like this, and the family appreciated people coming out to rally against a newspaper which was constantly trying to take down Bill Moss and come out against those who speak the truth in Columbus. Barry Edney said "Bill represented children of all races and we are representing him." Protests are planned to continue through September 12th with a break so that families can help their kids start school.
Barry Edney of the Ordinary People's Movement, said "This was payback for Bill Moss's telling the truth. The Dispatch spent thousands trying to get him off of the school board and the decision to run the cartoon involved Mike Curtin, an editor and the cartoonist." When Edney was asked what he thought about the comment by Mike Curtin on the radio that Bill Moss would have laughed at the cartoon, he said "Yeah but it would be more of a chuckle at their ignorance."
They will continue the boycott of the Dispatch until a letter of apology is written, and he said "We would like to see some positive press coverage in our community. We want to see positive role models and leadership shown."
He also criticized Mayor Coleman for not speaking out against this but for jumping on the bandwagon against Taft and the recent corruption scandals involving the Ohio GOP. He didn't expect Coleman to actually come out though, because he is dependent upon the Wolfes (owners of the Dispatch) and corporate support for his campaign.
This protest was much about keeping the memory of Bill Moss alive. Glory Kilgore, who was wearing an ACORN (Association of Community Organizers for Reform Now) shirt, said in speaking to Mrs. Moss, "Bill is still alive" due to protests like this, and the family appreciated people coming out to rally against a newspaper which was constantly trying to take down Bill Moss and come out against those who speak the truth in Columbus. Barry Edney said "Bill represented children of all races and we are representing him." Protests are planned to continue through September 12th with a break so that families can help their kids start school.