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Residents fed up with neighbor's controversial lawn signs and displays
by: Updated:
The man, James Edward Avery, has stuffed monkeys hanging from nooses and signs with vulgar language they say is offensive and racist.
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Avery told Channel 2's Rikki Klaus he feels he has finally found his purpose in life -- to spread truth and encourage conversation.
More than 300 people have signed this petition saying they are disturbed by the "abusive" content of his messaging. Neighbors said he stands in front of his house daily, wearing costumes and sometimes waving flags or flicking people off. He's even been known to yell at drivers for hours.
"I'm getting nothing but negative attention," he said.
But the yelling is not what some neighbors say bothers them the most. It's the controversial signs in his yard.
"This is out of control. This has been going on for so long and we are sick of it. The whole community is absolutely sick of this," said Julian Sands who works nearby.
Avery has dozens of signs, some with religious references. Many are inappropriate for television.
"Stuff that is sexist or homophobic or racist or inciting violence, that I think should not be allowed," Sands said.
There's a stuffed animal on display with a toy gun pointed at its neck. Some told us they find that and these three stuffed monkeys hanging from nooses deeply upsetting.
"Me, personally, being a black male, it shows a sign that he's racist and not to mention no telling what types of things he has on his mind," another resident said, "To me it's about lynching. It's not only offensive. It's dangerous."
Avery says the hanging "see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil" stuffed animals mean something else entirely.
"They generally mean being of sound mind body and action. Set the example for others to follow," he said.
Avery had to go to court for too many signs in his yard and is now on probation.
DeKalb County Police say the messaging falls under freedom of speech.
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Rikki Klaus
Rikki Klaus is a Channel 2 Action News general assignment reporter. She joined the team in August 2015.
Before moving to Atlanta, Rikki was a morning reporter and fill-in anchor at WESH 2 News, the NBC affiliate in Orlando. She also reported at WPTV, the NBC affiliate in West Palm Beach and WHNT, the CBS affiliate in Huntsville, Alabama.
Rikki has reported on a wide range of events. She covered the final space shuttle launch from Cape Canaveral, the 2014 super tornado outbreak in North Alabama, George Zimmerman and Casey Anthony. Several of her reports have appeared on network television.
Rikki is a Vero Beach, Florida native who graduated from the University of Florida with a Telecommunication-News degree and a minor in Spanish.
During college, Rikki spent time in Guatemala and told the story of a man who traveled into the jungles and mountains to save malnourished babies. The report won a number of journalistic awards, including an Edward R. Murrow Award and an Associated Press Broadcasters Award. During college, Rikki studied abroad in Guanajuato, Mexico. She hosted “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered” on Gainesville’s NPR station, WUFT.
Rikki is a member of the Atlanta Press Club. She enjoys reading, yoga and traveling.
If you have a news tip for Rikki email: Rikki.Klaus@wsbtv.com
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