Billboard Stirs Debate
Winlock City Councilor Calls Comment ‘Racial Profiling,’ Supporters Cite Freedom of Speech
Posted Nov 16, 10:39 am.
By Dan Schreiber
The Chronicle


Mike Hamilton, proprietor of the famous Hamilton Farms billboard along Interstate 5 at Exit 72, made a very public attempt at humor about U.S. immigration problems this week, but it doesn’t have all of Lewis County laughing. The Chronicle gets opinions from several local residents, including Mike Hamilton, the man behind the sign.

Winlock City Council member Eliaci Sanchez took issue Thursday about a statement to do with Mexicans and illegal immigration. It was displayed on the Hamilton Farms Uncle Sam billboard, a veritable Lewis County monument beside Interstate 5 at exit 72.

The proprietor of the famous Hamilton Farms billboard along Interstate 5 this week made a very public attempt at humor about U.S. immigration problems, but it doesn’t have all of Lewis County laughing.

For decades, the sign donned with an image of Uncle Sam has brought controversial national issues to the forefront of local discussion and this week was no different. As of Thursday, commuters on the freeway read,
“ NO MEXICAN OLYMPIC TEAMS? ALL THE RUNNERS AND SWIMMERS ARE HERE! â€