A photo dug up by KSTP 5 purportedly shows Mayor Betsy Hodges flashing a gang sign. But here’s the thing: It doesn’t. She’s just pointing at the man she’s posing with.
KSTP 5 writes: “EYEWITNESS NEWS has obtained a photo of Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges posing with a convicted felon while flashing a known gang sign.”
The story stirred up some outrage, with several people accusing the mayor of condoning gang violence, but then common sense set in and people realized that Mayor Betsy Hodges isn’t flashing a gang sign. She’s just pointing.
The story was published yesterday afternoon. Since then, several publications have published articles mocking the KSTP 5 report. Nekima Levy-Pounds writes in the Star Tribune article, “Dear White People: Mayor Betsy Hodges is Not in a Gang,” that she “could not believe that any credible news station in the Twin Cities would produce a segment like the one in question and attempt to pass it off as legitimate news,” while the Daily Kos called the article “the most racist news story of 2014.”
The story even inspired the hashtag #Pointergate.
Would it be too soon to suggest KSTP potentially “missed the point?” in their Hodges story? #pointergate
— Mike Peden (@TheSportsBrain) November 7, 2014
Throwing Satan’s gang sign smh. Worse than #pointergate. pic.twitter.com/YWEuyrARet
— Motion to Strike (@MotionToStrike) November 7, 2014
Flashing some love for my mayor. I think I’m in her gang now. #pointergate pic.twitter.com/cbqqDK5IFp
— Cobobulation (@jacobob) November 7, 2014
Guys I found the originator of the #pointergate gang sign: pic.twitter.com/J5jznUcLX9
— NickBaumann (@NickBaumann) November 7, 2014
No no no. I’m not in a gang. I want that raspberry croissant. That one there on the left. #pointergate
— pantagrapher (@pantagrapher) November 7, 2014
What I’ve learned from #pointergate is that I never want to be photographed fist bumping or I’ll be accused of having bro affiliations.
— Joel Ingersoll (@FlyoverJoel) November 7, 2014
Justin Timberlake putting the American Music Awards in danger. #pointergate pic.twitter.com/IhsA5DbbU4
— TJ Caswell (@TJCaswell) November 7, 2014
good god they’re everywhere #pointergate #gangaffiliated pic.twitter.com/fE43PC2fSD
— kmr. (@bygracenotgod) November 7, 2014
KSTP has not responded to the criticism yet.
[Image Via Twitter]
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