Photo courtesy of Leslie Noe/WXIN
SHERIDAN, Ind. – Sheridan, Indiana is a small rural community in northern Hamilton County with a population just short of 3,000. Despite its small size, this town is receiving national attention for an entry in their annual Independence Day Parade.
Don Christy, 73, of Sheridan, drove a golf cart in the parade displaying Trump signs as well as Obama in a toilet. There was also a sign that said “Lying African.”
People at the parade took pictures of the float, and it quickly spread on social media. Many people are calling the float “hateful” and “racist.
But Christy says he’s done nothing wrong and he has a right to his own opinion.
“It’s obvious. I don’t think our government’s very honest… I don’t trust them. I think they’re going the wrong way with this country. I am definitely not a liberal,” said Christy.
Christy calls himself “not politically correct” and “old school,” and he says he is not racist.
“What is racist about it? What was racist? He (Obama) is an African, right?” said Christy.
Photo courtesy of Kendall Downing/WXIN
The Sheridan Lions Club organizes the parade. Residents wishing to participate in the parade are required to submit an entry form, and the Lions Club approves and organizes the entries.
Christy says he didn’t formally submit an entry. He says he just lined up with other floats at the start of the parade route and organizers allowed him to proceed. He says he’s done this in years past, and if the Lions Club didn’t want him in the parade, they could have asked him to leave.
We reached out to Lions Clubs International, and they released this statement, “We are a non-political organization. Anything that would be found to be offensive should not be on anything affiliated with Lions Clubs.”
The Sheridan Lions Club has not returned a request for comment.
