Controversial Chico Billboard Depicting Nazi Trump Removed

CHICO, CA — A new Chico billboard posted on Wednesday quickly became the talk of the conservative town and was removed a day after it was put up. The recycled fashion store Rouse and Revolt used a likeness of President Trump in a Nazi uniform as their billboard advertisement. The billboard, located at Third and Mangrove avenues, was removed by Stott Outdoor Advertising on Thursday, according to the store owner's Facebook page.

Store owner and Chico resident Nicholle Haber Lewis explained the advertisement via Facebook, “We support equality, we support equal rights, we support a woman's right to her own body, we support DACA, we support universal health care, we support gay people in any Place they live. We welcome all races, all religions, all countries of origin, all genders and we not only STAND with you, we kneel with you as well. Rouse & Revolt”

The clothing store says they are about "mindful fashion" and giving back to the community by donating a portion of their monthly proceeds to local nonprofit groups. Clothing that is not sold is given to local charities, according to the store's website.

Locals have taken to the store's Facebook page to publicly voice their dislike of the billboard. Some residents have openly threatened Lewis and the store. Others have shown support for the store's unique advertising approach.

Chico, located in Butte County, has more than 90,000 residents, according to the United States Census Bureau. More than 49 percent of registered voters in Chico are Republican while 47 percent are Democrats, while in the Bay Area, 13 percent of registered voters are Republican and more than 83 percent are Democrats, according to a report in Best Places to Live.

In the Bay Area, a billboard that could be seen by motorists entering the Bay Bridge toll plaza in Oakland on Sept. 25 was taken down, the group that paid for it said. The east-facing billboard displayed a photo of Trump with the word "Impeach" next to his face. The billboard went up on a Monday and was scheduled to remain up until Sunday.

According to the California-based Courage Campaign, which paid for that billboard, Outfront Media, the company that owns the space, decided to take it down because of complaints.

Rouse and Revolt also markets doggie waste bags called “Dumps For Trump.” Lewis has not yet been reached for comment.

Rouse and Revolt is located on 225 Main Street in Chico.

Photo of empty billboard courtesy Nicholle Haber Lewis

Bay City News contributed to this report.