By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – A local cab company owner said a sign that has caused a furor on social media will stay up for another day.

Checker Cab owner Aaron Halliday said he won’t cave to public pressure. The sign says he trusts “a Palestinian on a motorcycle” more than President Barack Obama. Halliday said the sign was meant as a joke – and a slam against the President – not Palestinians.

Many responded on social media by calling Halliday a racist.

“I have employees, our drivers, who are different ethnic races,” Halliday said. “I pledge money to different organizations in town. I support a lot of ethnic organizations in town.”

President Obama is a frequent target of Halliday’s commentaries on the sign which is displayed along a highly visible stretch of south Main Street in Bloomington. Halliday told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin, if protesters plan to boycott his business as some have vowed to do, he said that’s their right to free speech too.

“When I put my sign up, I meant no offense to any Palestinians,” Halliday said. “I thought it was a joke. I thought it was humorous. I used to tell (Polish) jokes or short-people jokes or whatever.”

Halliday said his cab drivers, who come from various ethnic backgrounds, have no problem with the sign. He said  he will take down the sign on Wednesday as originally planned.

PODCAST: Listen to Scott and Colleen’s interview with Halliday on WJBC.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].