There are at least two reports of what may be a disturbing new protest trend against President Obama: Empty chairs hanging from trees.
A blogger who spotted a hanging chair with an attached sign reading “Nobama” in Centreville, Va., writes: “This appears to be a crude metaphor for the lynching of President Obama.”
A blogger in Texas wrote about a similar display in Austin.
The owner of the house in Virginia told WJLA-TV that he has taken down the chair and said the idea was inspired by Clint Eastwood’s performance at the Republican Convention, in which the actor “interviewed” an empty chair meaning to represent Obama.
“I loved Clint Eastwood’s speech,” said Doug Burger, adding that the display has no racial connotations.
“I know how to build a noose,” Burger said. “Really. If I wanted to make a noose, I could do that. I did not. I had no intention for that to occur.”
The criticism is “really an attack on free speech,” he added.
NBC News reported that the Secret Service is looking into the empty chair incidents.
“The Secret Service is aware of this and will conduct appropriate followup,” spokesman Brian Leary told NBC.
