Richard Stewart, a 35-year member and past president of the NAACP’s Pittsburgh chapter, does not mince words when it comes to what he calls racist messages on a newly erected billboard in Summit Township.

“This is ridiculous,” Stewart said. “They try to create hate. They try to create a scenario out there to have people running after other folks.”

He said the billboard’s messages, which include “Whites are under attack stop it now!!’ with ”Stop teaching critical racist theory,“ are a throwback to pre-civil rights America.

“People are living in peace, kids are going to school, people are working and because things are not going your way, you put out derogatory statements about white people being under attack and a swastika?” Stewart said. “If you say (whites) are a minority, I’ll be all up in your grill, because that’s a lie.”

Like many parents in Summit Township, Stewart worries about impressionable youths reading the messages.

“Kids are going to bully other students who are not their color,” Stewart said. “You’re just starting stuff.”

He also worried about any Jewish people who drive past and see a swastika.

Stewart just learned of the billboards in Butler and Armstrong counties, and he is not aware of any such messages having been displayed in the Pittsburgh area.

He offered advice for people driving past the sign.

“You just need to laugh and keep on going,” he said. “They’re ignorant.”