Arkansas man charged with misdemeanor for allegedly defacing billboard that had racist message

HARRISON, Ark. – An Arkansas man is accused of defacing a billboard that carried a racist message.

The Harrison Daily Times reported Thursday (http://bit.ly/J8LWiU ) that 47-year-old Chad Watkins was arrested on a misdemeanor criminal mischief charge. He was released on $2,500 bond.

A billboard along a Harrison highway had read "Anti-Racist is a Code Word for Anti-White." Police said a witness saw people paint "Love" over "Anti-White" last month.

The police chief and city attorney could not be reached Thursday night.

Officers wouldn't say whether Watkins had a lawyer, saying they were not authorized to release records. A message left with a Chad Watkins who lives near Harrison was not returned.

A branch of the Ku Klux Klan is based near Harrison. The city 's trying to overcome a racist image.

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Information from: Harrison Daily Times, http://www.harrisondaily.com