Maine insurance agency’s Juneteenth sign triggers online backlash
The agency's notice that it was closed for the Juneteenth holiday was criticized as racist and led two major insurance companies to break ties with the agency.
A Maine insurance agency’s sign explaining that it was closed for Monday’s Juneteenth holiday spurred accusations of racism on social media and led two major insurance companies to break their ties to the agency.
On Monday, a Facebook user posted a photo of a sign taped to the door at the Harry E. Reed Insurance Agency in Millinocket, Maine. The sign read: “Juneteenth ∼ it’s whatever … We’re closed. Enjoy your fried chicken & collard greens.”
The poster commented, “The racism in Millinocket is real.”
As criticism of the sign spread on social media, people began posting negative reviews on the agency’s Yelp page, leading Yelp to disable posting to the page.
Meanwhile, NPR reported that insurers Progressive and Allstate both said they were cutting their ties to the agency.
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