Yard Signs of Rubashkin Stirring Up Emotions in Postville

By Mark Geary, Reporter

Tools

By Daren Sukhram

Story Created: Nov 24, 2009 at 10:21 PM CST

Story Updated: Nov 25, 2009 at 12:54 AM CST

POSTVILLE - Former Agriprocessors Manager Sholom Rubashkin is getting a lot of support from the Jewish Community in Postville. A jury convicted Rubashkin last week of 86 federal fraud charges.

Several homes have posters of Rubashkin on an American flag reading "Send Shalom Home" in their front yards. That's upsetting some veterans who say this is illegal.

Now, a sign intended to pay tribute to a man at the center of controversy in Postville has instead created more controversy.

Former city council member Aaron Goldsmith said, "I think they wanted to send a message that Shalom is not forgotten, but they took an avenue they didn't understand could be been seen as harmful."

Local veterans are angry about the design of the posters.

"I was outraged," Veteran Gary Hooper said.

"You got him pasted right into the flag...that's not right," Veteran Terry McNally.

They point to a section of the Iowa Code that makes it illegal to desecrate a flag.

Veteran Harlan White said, "The flag is very sacred to me and our country."

"I sacrificed my blood for the flag, so did my father and grandfather. It means our freedom," Hooper added.

City and state officials say its unclear whether the poster actually violates the law or not.

Members of the Jewish community say this situation is simply a big misunderstanding.

"I think they misunderstood the symbols of the flag and mixing his picture with that and how that could offend people and be misunderstood and misconstrued," Goldsmith said.

The initial purpose of the signs was to show support for Rubashkin, but now some would argue these displays have caused more harm instead.

The Postville VFW is preparing a response and also asking for an apology from those who displayed the signs in their yards.

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