A series of ads advertising a new Fox television show have been removed from the L.A. transportation system.

Riders became offended after seeing the ads for “Red Band Society” that depicted actress Octavia Spencer as a “scary b**ch.” 

From Los Angeles Times:

Metropolitan Transportation Authority spokesman Marc Littman said the agency decided to remove the ad because that label “denigrates women.”

“That speaks for itself,” Littman said. “That was not acceptable.” The ads, which have been up for five weeks, will be removed from 190 Metro buses as soon as possible, said Metro spokesman Dave Sotero.

The announcement was made Thursday at a Metro committee meeting where a few dozen protesters showed up to speak against the ads. Among them was Jasmyne Cannick, who said the nickname perpetuates negative stereotypes about black women.

“I don’t know if I find it more offensive because I’m black, or more offensive because I’m a woman,” said Cannick, 36. “I sometimes think our city forgets that there are black people that still live here and call Los Angeles home.”

Read more at the Los Angeles Times

A statement released by a Fox spokeswoman said that network executives were notified Thursday morning of riders’ concerns and “immediately offered to remove the language.”

“Metro Los Angeles ultimately decided to take down the ads, and we respect that decision,” the spokeswoman said. “We sincerely apologize if the copy was offensive to viewers.”

Thoughts on the ad?

Racist or not racist?

Sound of below!