Anger after 'White People' stickers posted at stores in Austin, Texas

Texas officials have reacted angrily after someone plastered stickers reading "Exclusively For White People" on several businesses in the state capital Austin.

The official-looking circular labels, which also state that only five "coloured customers" are allowed in the shops, were slapped on at least six Austin stores last week.

"This is an appalling and offensive display of ignorance in our city," Austin mayor Steve Adler said.

While clearly offensive in character, it was not clear if the stickers were intended as racist or if they were some sort of ironic comment on the effects of gentrification in the hip city that has seen shifting demographics in recent years. During America's era of segregation, signs designating businesses or public amenities along racial lines were common.

Sarah Goeth, a co-owner of the Windmill Bicycles store, told the Austin-American Statesman newspaper said that the stickers seemed like the work of an artist.

On her Facebook page, state lawmaker Dawnna Dukes said: "Some jokes just are not funny. If this is a joke at all, it is tasteless."