Group accused of racism in portrayal of Obama

An ultra-conservative “tea party” group has defended as satire its depiction of President Barack Obama as a skunk, following accusations of racism by the leader of a civil rights group.

Kansas-based Patriot Freedom Alliance says on its website that like the president, the skunk is “half black, half white, and almost everything it does stinks”.

According to The Hutchinson News, the area president of the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People, Darrell Pope, called the depiction a blatant statement of racism.

But local tea party supporter Chuck Sankey said former US vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin had been the target of worse insults.

Patriot Freedom Alliance meets regularly and has hosted rallies in the Hutchinson Sports Arena.