We are no strangers to tagging here in Central California. The custodians at the local high schools, parks, and shopping malls keep their gallon of paint handy to cover up the evidence. The gallon of paint is usually a slightly different color from the original wall paint, which remains the only evidence of the tagging until night falls again.
Tagging isn’t usually political but this week was an exception.
Back in August the “Milk is Milk” campaign put up a billboard just south of Pixley, California in the Central San Joaquin Valley on Highway 99 (about one hour north of Bakersfield). The billboard read: “Claims on the outside do not change what’s on the inside. Why pay more? Milk is Milk.”
In October the billboard was tagged with some swirls of silver spray paint. That was the usual sort of tagging in these parts.
But sometime between December 15th and 19th a ne’er-do-well tagged that “Milk is Milk” sign with a very big “RAW” in red paint. My husband took the picture included here.
Central California is home to many lactating cows, most on conventional dairies. A key exception is Organic Pastures dairy, the largest producer of raw milk in this country. The dairy cows graze on grass all year and have about an acre a piece dedicated to them. It is not surprising, then, that this billboard tagging would happen here in Central California. Many people strongly agree with the original message of the billboard. But a small rogue group of consumers probably chuckle as they drive north through Pixley.
Read more about the billboard:
Part I: Crime Scene Photos
Part II: Red-Hot County Investigation
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