Anti-alcohol t-shirts spark controversy in E. Texas town

LINDALE, TX (KLTV) - A t-shirt campaign to keep Lindale alcohol free is sparking controversy.

The Keep Lindale Uniquely Dry Committee sponsored the design of a "blue-out" t-shirt, similar to other message shirts sometimes worn at football games. While the front of the shirts read "Blue out 2014" with the word "Eagles" over the center, the back of the shirts read, "Keep Lindale uniquely dry."

Citizens opposing the shirts said the campaign is using children to advance a political agenda, and children who might wear the shirts may not know the meaning.

Former Lindale mayor Jim Mallory said, "People who have a position state that aggressively, that's fine, but not to the point of involving our children. That's just a little bit too far."

Keep Lindale Uniquely Dry Committee president Joe Terry said the group is targeting adults and eligible voters who might go to Lindale football games, but not children.

"We hope that people, adults, and voters, will wear them in the stands," Terry said. "Our intent was not to buy children's shirts, which we didn't. The intent was to solicit voters and get our message out to the community."

A spokesperson with Lindale ISD said the district does not have an opinion on these shirts, and could not confirm if they were being sold on campus or not.

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