Obama protesters hang a black doll

An effigy of US president Barack Obama has been found hanging in the hometown of former US leader Jimmy Carter.

TV footage showed a large black doll dangling from a noose in Plains, Georgia. A sign near the effigy said: ‘Plains, Georgia. Home of Jimmy Carter, our 39th President.’ Witnesses said the effigy, above a shop in the main road, had Mr Obama’s name on it.

The protest against America’s first black president was not a surprise, said Dr Anthony Samad, an associate professor of African American studies. ‘I think there’s this notion that we’re in a post-racial period in America because of the election of the first African American president,’ he added.

‘However, this president has received more death threats than any other president.’ Trevor Sims, who lives in the town of 700 people, said: ‘It’s wrong with what they did to Obama but I’m not shocked. It’s a nice place to live but some people out there still don’t like it.’ Secret Service spokesman Ed Donovan said the agency was investigating.