A South Australian regional council and business chief have condemned a local act of apparent racial vilification involving characters from The Simpsons.
Alexandrina Mayor Keith Parkes said the incident occurred last week, when images of Apu — a character of Indian heritage — and several other cartoon figures from the popular show appeared in a prominent part of Goolwa.
He said they were seemingly targeted at a local family that ran several businesses in the district.
Mr Parkes said the cutouts were swiftly removed by council workers, and described the episode as "very disappointing".
"It happened right in the middle of the town actually on a memorial reserve opposite two of the businesses," he told ABC Radio Adelaide's David Bevan.
"They employ a lot of local people and they're a really good family."
Chairperson of local business body Business Victor Harbor, Michael Schubert, said CCTV showed an unidentified person wearing a hoodie erecting the images.
Mr Schubert described the incident as "disturbing" and said the intent was "clearly offensive".
"It's directed towards a family to basically make them feel uncomfortable," he said.
"Council have made the right decision in removing those straight away.
"The sentiment is clear in the business community — that it is offensive, it is hurtful. Racism has no place [here]."
'Very confusing incident'
Last year, actor Hank Azaria publicly apologised for voicing the character of Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, whom he described as an offensive Indian stereotype.
Mr Schubert said the cartoons in Goolwa, which featured words inside speech bubbles including "I'll buy a car wash", were accompanied by a sign purporting to promote a business called Comic Creations.
"Police did investigate the offensive cardboard cutouts which were basically mocking the … family, and they employ over 80 people across Goolwa and Victor Harbor," he said.
In a statement, SA Police confirmed it had been notified of the matter.
"The matter was thoroughly investigated by police and no criminal offences were detected," police said in a statement.
"The business advertised their social media pages on the signs."
However, Mr Schubert said there appeared to be no local business called Comic Creations and maintained that the incident was racist.
"The business that's been advertised along with the cardboard cutouts — you can't find anything on the internet or social media," he said.
"It's a very confusing incident and story, trying to figure out who or what, or what business, is behind this."
Both Mr Parkes and Mr Schubert said the district was overwhelmingly welcoming of tourists and new residents.
"It's not a sentiment — the racism — that is prevalent here on the south coast," Mr Schubert said.
