This week the Not In Our Town group in Bloomington-Normal, IL came together in response to a controversial sign posted in front of a local cab company.

The group says the sign, pictured above, is offensive and racist. "Checker Cab's sign is a passive-aggressive use of a racial and ethnic stereotype to promote a political agenda," local Not In Our Town member Marc Miller told the Pantagraph [1]. "We do not care about political views. We do care about stopping the promotion of hate."

Local Not In Our Town organizer Willie Halbert added, "I think it's important to bring about awareness and education to people about racism. ... Any time we see an individual, group or organization that disrespects someone, we are going to stand up and peacefully protest. The sign is totally disrespectful."

Bloomington-Normal residents recently relaunched the Not In Our Town group to take an proactive approach to addressing hate and intolerance in their community. Last fall, community members, students and local police gathered for a kick-off event that included signing the Not In Our Town pledge as well as a discussion between local law enforcement and the community.

Read more about Not In Our Town Bloomington's work this week at the Pantagraph [1].