SC

Sources: Mayor Planted “Racist” Graffiti

Sometime during the early morning hours of December 30, 2009, an unidentified vandal spray-painted racist graffiti on the side of Columbia, South Carolina’s city hall. What did the graffiti say? “No n*gger mayor die.” This high-profile vandalization – which we condemned at the time as “another embarrassing incident for a…

Sometime during the early morning hours of December 30, 2009, an unidentified vandal spray-painted racist graffiti on the side of Columbia, South Carolina’s city hall. What did the graffiti say? “No n*gger mayor die.”

This high-profile vandalization – which we condemned at the time as “another embarrassing incident for a city and state that can’t seem to escape reminders of its racist past” – prompted a furious response from Steve Benjamin, who at the time was the only black candidate running for mayor of Columbia.

“I was disgusted this morning to learn that what should be a symbol of inclusion in our representative democracy had been vandalized with bigotry and intolerance,” Benjamin said. “This is exactly why we need a new leader who can unify all of us behind a new vision for Columbia, and I am now more than ever dedicated to that cause.”

The story – broken by reporter Adam Beam of The (Columbia, S.C.) State – quickly turned into another embarrassing national black eye for the Palmetto State. Of course Benjamin profited from it handsomely – and three months later he was elected mayor of Columbia, S.C.

Anyway, a month after the incident we published a follow-up report highlighting how efforts to apprehend the vandal had reached a dead end.

“The story has all but disappeared from the public’s radar,” we wrote. “Additionally, the investigation into the incident has stalled. In fact, one city official told FITS that unless someone with knowledge of the crime came forward, the mystery was unlikely to ever be solved.”

Well this week, several sources with knowledge of the crime did step forward … and pointed the finger of blame at Benjamin. According to these sources, Benjamin’s campaign orchestrated the hit with the full knowledge, permission and support of the candidate.

Not only that – the spray painting graffitist was black, a bit of information we’ve been able to confirm independently.

So let’s get this straight: A black man acting under orders from a black mayoral candidate spray-painted the words “No n*gger mayor die” on Columbia’s city hall three-and-a-half years ago?

Yup … and he allegedly got paid to do so.

Stay tuned … we’ll have much more on this story in the coming days.

 

Related posts

SC

North Charleston Councilman Accuses Cop Of Falsifying Police Report

Will Folks
SC

‘Carolina Crossroads’ Update: SCDOT Set To Unveil New Plan To The Public

Will Folks
SC

Federal Lawsuit Alleges Racial Discrimination in Horry County School

Callie Lyons

70 comments

CorruptionInColumbia August 5, 2013 at 4:03 pm

This is something many have suspected all along. If Fits breaks this and can prove it , they deserve a Pulitzer.

Reply
vicupstate August 5, 2013 at 4:23 pm

While I wouldn’t put it past certain people to pull a trick like this, I am still waiting on the Lexington and Horry ‘Rings’ to be arrested and also SIC’s tell all book. I have a feeling I will be waiting on this too.

Reply
CorruptionInColumbia August 5, 2013 at 4:38 pm

Word on the “skreet” has it that there is some major stuff brewing around at least one of the Lexington Ring’s most prominent members. It is moving at a painfully slow pace, but it IS moving.

I’m not real sure about the Horry Ring, but at least Thug Viers is out of the Legislature. That can only be a good thing.

Reply
Soft Sigh from Hell August 5, 2013 at 7:53 pm

Any idea on which one?

Reply
CorruptionInColumbia August 6, 2013 at 11:07 pm

The man who wears the star, and I’m not talking about the Texaco dealer.

:-D

CorruptionInColumbia August 5, 2013 at 4:03 pm

This is something many have suspected all along. If Fits breaks this and can prove it , they deserve a Pulitzer.

Reply
vicupstate August 5, 2013 at 4:23 pm

While I wouldn’t put it past certain people to pull a trick like this, I am still waiting on the Lexington and Horry ‘Rings’ to be arrested and also SIC’s tell all book. I have a feeling I will be waiting on this too.

Reply
CorruptionInColumbia August 5, 2013 at 4:38 pm

Word on the “skreet” has it that there is some major stuff brewing around at least one of the Lexington Ring’s most prominent members. It is moving at a painfully slow pace, but it IS moving.

I’m not real sure about the Horry Ring, but at least Thug Viers is out of the Legislature. That can only be a good thing.

Reply
Soft Sigh from Hell August 5, 2013 at 7:53 pm

Any idea on which one?

Reply
CorruptionInColumbia August 6, 2013 at 11:07 pm

The man who wears the star, and I’m not talking about the Texaco dealer.

:-D

Frank Pytel August 5, 2013 at 4:04 pm

Juuuiiicccy :0

Reply
Frank Pytel August 5, 2013 at 4:04 pm

Juuuiiicccy :0

Reply
Truth in Advertising August 5, 2013 at 4:14 pm

Go Fits!

Reply
Truth in Advertising August 5, 2013 at 4:14 pm

Go Fits!

Reply
disqus_BBDFSfiBQF August 5, 2013 at 4:33 pm

What ever became of the follow-up story on that legislator who took up two spaces in the grocery store parking lot? Did I miss that one?

Reply
Victoria August 6, 2013 at 12:22 pm

That dude’s Cadillac is at our Kroger all the time. This is for real and really a non-story. He is just an old Democrat robot doing what de big mens tells him to do anyway. Leave this loser alone.

Reply
disqus_BBDFSfiBQF August 6, 2013 at 1:30 pm

I don’t intend to contact him or do anything other than “leave him alone”… I just wanted to find out his name so I can avoid voting for him.

Reply
disqus_BBDFSfiBQF August 5, 2013 at 4:33 pm

What ever became of the follow-up story on that legislator who took up two spaces in the grocery store parking lot? Did I miss that one?

Reply
Victoria August 6, 2013 at 12:22 pm

That dude’s Cadillac is at our Kroger all the time. This is for real and really a non-story. He is just an old Democrat robot doing what de big mens tells him to do anyway. Leave this loser alone.

Reply
disqus_BBDFSfiBQF August 6, 2013 at 1:30 pm

I don’t intend to contact him or do anything other than “leave him alone”… I just wanted to find out his name so I can avoid voting for him.

Reply
Marie Harrison August 5, 2013 at 4:34 pm

Straight from the Trikki playbook.

Reply
Marie Harrison August 5, 2013 at 4:34 pm

Straight from the Trikki playbook.

Reply
Jeffy01 August 5, 2013 at 4:43 pm

I hear the Horry county indictments may come down today

Reply
CNSYD August 5, 2013 at 8:43 pm

Good one!

Reply
Jeffy01 August 5, 2013 at 4:43 pm

I hear the Horry county indictments may come down today

Reply
CNSYD August 5, 2013 at 8:43 pm

Good one!

Reply
? August 5, 2013 at 4:59 pm

This may be the one thing that would actually remove him from office if proven.

Justice would finally be served on T-bone.

Speaking of T-bone, wasn’t it OWB that coined that moniker? Is he on vacation?

Reply
Smirks August 6, 2013 at 9:10 am

This may be the one thing that would actually remove him from office if proven.

Until Clyburn retires, anyways. I’m sure Jimmy will play kingmaker and Benji is sufficiently corrupt to get his blessing.

Reply
Invisible Hired Help August 6, 2013 at 12:26 pm

Jean is going to be pissed if you don’t give her credit. She is ass-deep in Democratic politics both local and state wide these days. She “saved” Darryl Jackson didn’t she? Her office runner and do-boy these days is Rep. James Smith.

Reply
bubber August 6, 2013 at 1:41 pm

Horrid, horrid image, “…Jean…ass deep…”. Must poke minds eye out now!

Reply
TontoBubbaGoldstein August 5, 2013 at 4:59 pm

TBG wonders, if ths can be proven beyond dubt ( video, confessionetc); will Steve Benjamin get in half the trouble that Riley Cooper.

Reply
? August 5, 2013 at 4:59 pm

This may be the one thing that would actually remove him from office if proven.

Justice would finally be served on T-bone.

Speaking of T-bone, wasn’t it OWB that coined that moniker? Is he on vacation?

Reply
Smirks August 6, 2013 at 9:10 am

This may be the one thing that would actually remove him from office if proven.

Until Clyburn retires, anyways. I’m sure Jimmy will play kingmaker and Benji is sufficiently corrupt to get his blessing.

Reply
Invisible Hired Help August 6, 2013 at 12:26 pm

Jean is going to be pissed if you don’t give her credit. She is ass-deep in Democratic politics both local and state wide these days. She “saved” Darryl Jackson didn’t she? Her office runner and do-boy these days is Rep. James Smith.

Reply
bubber August 6, 2013 at 1:41 pm

Horrid, horrid image, “…Jean…ass deep…”. Must poke minds eye out now!

Reply
TontoBubbaGoldstein August 5, 2013 at 4:59 pm

TBG wonders, if ths can be proven beyond dubt ( video, confessionetc); will Steve Benjamin get in half the trouble that Riley Cooper.

Reply
Sherlocked Up August 5, 2013 at 5:43 pm

And did Grand Tango with his $^$#FD not-cussing self just disappear when the new edition – the grown up edition of FITS made it’s debut? Very interesting…

Reply
Sherlocked Up August 5, 2013 at 5:43 pm

And did Grand Tango with his $^$#FD not-cussing self just disappear when the new edition – the grown up edition of FITS made it’s debut? Very interesting…

Reply
Was there August 5, 2013 at 6:24 pm

I remember when I was a student at USC in 90 or 91 when the same message was written with spray paint on the sidewalk between the science buildings and the library. It worked for him then… He was elected student body president. Check copies of The Gamecock from the period.

Reply
RHood2 August 5, 2013 at 6:31 pm

Since he followed Kelvin Stroble, the first black USC student body prez, and James Franklin, the second, I doubt this very much. Only way to check archives is microfilm or USC Caroliniana libraries. If you can provide an image, I’ll buy it. Otherwise, just talk.

Reply
Was there August 5, 2013 at 6:24 pm

I remember when I was a student at USC in 90 or 91 when the same message was written with spray paint on the sidewalk between the science buildings and the library. It worked for him then… He was elected student body president. Check copies of The Gamecock from the period.

Reply
RHood2 August 5, 2013 at 6:31 pm

Since he followed Kelvin Stroble, the first black USC student body prez, and James Franklin, the second, I doubt this very much. Only way to check archives is microfilm or USC Caroliniana libraries. If you can provide an image, I’ll buy it. Otherwise, just talk.

Reply
LugoffLugnut August 5, 2013 at 7:24 pm

I suspect Santiago dropped the dime. Or heck, may have even scribbled the slur. Why wait at temporary chief when the mayor’s slot might be pried open.

Reply
Sam August 6, 2013 at 10:31 am

Hey Mayor B., if they will cheat with you, they will cheat on you.

Reply
LugoffLugnut August 5, 2013 at 7:24 pm

I suspect Santiago dropped the dime. Or heck, may have even scribbled the slur. Why wait at temporary chief when the mayor’s slot might be pried open.

Reply
Sam August 6, 2013 at 10:31 am

Hey Mayor B., if they will cheat with you, they will cheat on you.

Reply
Mike at the Beach August 5, 2013 at 7:36 pm

Ho-leee shit, Will…

Reply
Mike at the Beach August 5, 2013 at 7:36 pm

Ho-leee shit, Will…

Reply
Elfego August 5, 2013 at 7:45 pm

I will bet it was Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson!

Reply
Elfego August 5, 2013 at 7:45 pm

I will bet it was Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson!

Reply
same ol same ol August 5, 2013 at 10:06 pm

I’ll believe it when I see it. Lots of talk, no action. I mean it’s been years in some cases, especially the book. I suppose it takes a long time to vett every word.

Reply
same ol same ol August 5, 2013 at 10:06 pm

I’ll believe it when I see it. Lots of talk, no action. I mean it’s been years in some cases, especially the book. I suppose it takes a long time to vett every word.

Reply
nitrat August 5, 2013 at 10:15 pm

Like fucking Nikki Haley, unless there’s a picture, there is no way to prove it.

Reply
nitrat August 5, 2013 at 10:15 pm

Like fucking Nikki Haley, unless there’s a picture, there is no way to prove it.

Reply
Smirks August 6, 2013 at 9:01 am

Clayton Bigsby strikes again.

Reply
Smirks August 6, 2013 at 9:01 am

Clayton Bigsby strikes again.

Reply
Bob Sacamanto August 6, 2013 at 11:51 am

Maybe the “Soul Patrol” did it…

Reply
Bob Sacamanto August 6, 2013 at 11:51 am

Maybe the “Soul Patrol” did it…

Reply
theblooms August 6, 2013 at 1:08 pm

Over and over, time and again, when no real racism exists, liberals will create it themselves.

Reply
Henry Minton August 6, 2013 at 1:08 pm

Trust me I am no fan of the mayor, but this is shitty journalism at it’s finest. State a source or move on…

Reply
theblooms August 6, 2013 at 1:08 pm

Over and over, time and again, when no real racism exists, liberals will create it themselves.

Reply
Henry Minton August 6, 2013 at 1:08 pm

Trust me I am no fan of the mayor, but this is shitty journalism at it’s finest. State a source or move on…

Reply
more racebaiting, what's new? August 6, 2013 at 3:45 pm

of course womanbeater will understands how this kind of tactic works: he’s the one whose coordinated “smears” with the haley campaign sent her from a “cherokee” in 4th place and also-ran (or as i remember hearing, “indian? i just thought she was greek” LMFAO!!!!), to insane high profile story (remember the breathless coverage by stooge kevan cohen LMFAO!!!!!), easy first place and landslide run-off winner. (oh and by creating the FAKE SCANDAL, it was free publicit, not that haley needed it with all her illegal campaign contributions). hmmmm, create a vile attack, act outraged, public sees victim (instead of cynical politician willing to sink to any depth to achieve shameless self promotion EXACTLT LIKE WHEN HALEY JUST CLAIMED TO BE VICTIM OF CHILD ABUSE), and win the race going away. of course womanbeater will can see through this: HE AND HALEY USE/D THE EXACT SAME PLAYBOOK. whether this accusation with steve binyamin is true or not, well there’s absolutely no proof in the article exept the inuendo of an admitted and convicted womanbeater and (proud? i guess) drug addict. so until proven i’ll just consider it a typical race-baiting article targeted at his minions of intellectually yokel fanboys who eat this shit up (probably because deep down inside they know how completely inferior they are to black people). all you need to do is read the wikipedia entry of edward bernays to understand the tactics and philosophy of the style of propaganda that womanbeater will vomits every second his dim bulb is intermittentlyflickering ( of course in his mind it was all his blueprint and he’s a genius for conning a state full of willing, content, fat, and stupid zombies LOL) now go suck on sanford’s cock you fuckin’ bitch.
PS you can also read Extraordinary popular delusions and the madness of crowds by charles mackay and Instincts of th herd in peace and war by gustave Lebon. with bernays book Propaganda you can easily crack this very weak code. the entire philosophy of american mass media brainwashing aree based on these concepts. when this knowledge is grasped ITS OBVIOUS WHO”S LYING EVERY TIME.

Reply
Ebonic Literary Master August 6, 2013 at 8:19 pm

Any one care to lay odds on this being Stevie?

Reply
theblooms August 7, 2013 at 10:43 am

The grammar, spelling and diction are about right…

Reply
more racebaiting, what's new? August 6, 2013 at 3:45 pm

of course womanbeater will understands how this kind of tactic works: he’s the one whose coordinated “smears” with the haley campaign sent her from a “cherokee” in 4th place and also-ran (or as i remember hearing, “indian? i just thought she was greek” LMFAO!!!!), to insane high profile story (remember the breathless coverage by stooge kevan cohen LMFAO!!!!!), easy first place and landslide run-off winner. (oh and by creating the FAKE SCANDAL, it was free publicit, not that haley needed it with all her illegal campaign contributions). hmmmm, create a vile attack, act outraged, public sees victim (instead of cynical politician willing to sink to any depth to achieve shameless self promotion EXACTLT LIKE WHEN HALEY JUST CLAIMED TO BE VICTIM OF CHILD ABUSE), and win the race going away. of course womanbeater will can see through this: HE AND HALEY USE/D THE EXACT SAME PLAYBOOK. whether this accusation with steve binyamin is true or not, well there’s absolutely no proof in the article exept the inuendo of an admitted and convicted womanbeater and (proud? i guess) drug addict. so until proven i’ll just consider it a typical race-baiting article targeted at his minions of intellectually yokel fanboys who eat this shit up (probably because deep down inside they know how completely inferior they are to black people). all you need to do is read the wikipedia entry of edward bernays to understand the tactics and philosophy of the style of propaganda that womanbeater will vomits every second his dim bulb is intermittentlyflickering ( of course in his mind it was all his blueprint and he’s a genius for conning a state full of willing, content, fat, and stupid zombies LOL) now go suck on sanford’s cock you fuckin’ bitch.
PS you can also read Extraordinary popular delusions and the madness of crowds by charles mackay and Instincts of th herd in peace and war by gustave Lebon. with bernays book Propaganda you can easily crack this very weak code. the entire philosophy of american mass media brainwashing aree based on these concepts. when this knowledge is grasped ITS OBVIOUS WHO”S LYING EVERY TIME.

Reply
Ebonic Literary Master August 6, 2013 at 8:19 pm

Any one care to lay odds on this being Stevie?

Reply
theblooms August 7, 2013 at 10:43 am

The grammar, spelling and diction are about right…

Reply
ravenhaired vixen August 6, 2013 at 10:57 pm

My mother always told me…”how you got your man is how you will lose him”. It’s the same for political office…how you got your office is how your lose it…Steve Benjamin knows how he got his “office”.

Reply
ravenhaired vixen August 6, 2013 at 10:57 pm

My mother always told me…”how you got your man is how you will lose him”. It’s the same for political office…how you got your office is how your lose it…Steve Benjamin knows how he got his “office”.

Reply

Leave a Comment