A local GOP group in Alabama has deleted its Facebook page on Tuesday after claiming it accidentally posted racist imagery. The post sparked outrage among local constituents as well as state leaders.
The Lawrence County Republican Party shared the image — which depicted the Republican National Committee elephant logo and the figures of three hooded Klanmen between its legs — in an announcement naming new county president Shannon Terry.
Image created by illustrator Woody Harrington, originally used in Mother Jones’ article titled, “The Republican Party Is Racist and Solace. Just Ask This Veteran GOP Strategist.”
Harrington shared the photo on Instagram on Wednesday with the caption: “2 years ago I created this image in [Mother Jones] for a piece about the hate, bigotry and racism hidden within Trump’s GOP. Now it’s my It has come to notice that elephant hate has been given new life (without permission or credit).”
Terry apologized for the group’s Facebook post.
“A Google search photo of a GOP elephant was used and later hidden images were found that do not represent the views or beliefs of the Lawrence County Republican Party,” he wrote. “As president I take full responsibility for the error.”
According to CBS News affiliate WHNT, Terry is a member of the Lawrence County school board, and has said he will not resign from his position.
State Representative Anthony Daniels — a Democrat who represents Alabama’s 53rd district and the youngest and first African American minority leader in the Alabama House of Representatives — tweeted, “Shame on the Lawrence County Republican Party for this disgusting image. Is.”
The group’s Facebook page, which had been active since 2009, had been taken down by 6 pm. EDT Thursday.