Luray Mayor Barry Presgraves posted the offensive remarks on his Facebook page in a now deleted post, last weekend
The residents of a city in Virginia are demanding their mayor’s resignation after they said in a Facebook post that Joe Biden has announced ‘just Aunt Jemima’ as his running mate.
Luray Mayor Barry Presgraves posted the offensive remarks on his Facebook page in a now-defunct post last weekend.
The city of Luray has a population of less than 5,000 people, the majority of whom are white. The city has a four percent black population, according to census data.
Biden announced that he had chosen Kamala Harris on Tuesday to be his running mate.
In June, Quaker Oats acknowledged that Aunt Jemima’s origins were based on a racist stereotype of a ‘mommy’ and announced the company to remove the image and name.
Presgraves apologized on Facebook and at a city council meeting on Monday night after he was beaten by residents and members of the Luray Town Council, NBC News reports.
Joe Biden announced on Tuesday that he had chosen Kamala Harris for his running mate
“I want to make this very clear to anyone with absolutely no qualifications,” Presgraves said. “I understand what I posted on social media was wrong, insulting and incomprehensible.”
The 77-year-old said the comments did not reflect his heart.
‘I also want to make a direct apology to all people of color and woman. Passing up and destroying racist stereotypes as humor is not funny, ‘he said, reading from a prepared statement. ‘I now fully understand how painful it is and I can and will do better and we can all do better. We have to.
‘From the bottom of my heart, I am sorry and humbly ask for your forgiveness and your mercy. ‘
Luray councilor Leah Pence sent Presgraves an email Monday asking for his resignation.
“I’m writing to urge you to resign over a racist remark you made on Facebook,” she said in the email. ‘The comment you posted has a kind of humor that in my life was as inappropriate or funny as you.
Luray councilor Leah Pence sent an e-mail to Presgraves on Monday asking for his resignation
‘Although dismissal only does not resolve the systemic subliminal racism that plagues our community, your dismissal is necessary because we are working to end racism in our community.
‘You are responsible for your words and decisions as the leader of The Town of Luray and your recent actions have caused me and many citizens to lose confidence and trust in your capacity to serve effectively and fairly as Mayor of The Town of Luray. ‘
Steve Burke, city manager, said the city council can not remove the mayor, but courts can sue.
“Residents have the opportunity to petition the court for removal of elected officials,” Burke said.
The city council voted 5 to 1 to censor Presgraves for what she described as “his choice of malicious words on social media.” Councilwoman Pence voted no, Burke shared.
“While the City Council affirms the freedom of speech guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, as elected officials, we are held to a higher standard within our communities,” the City Council said. ‘Statements by public officials have a strong impact on the community. ‘
She added: ‘Your apology is a step towards reconciliation with our citizens, however, damage remains both internal and external to our community.’
The city council told Presgraves that they expect his ‘highest level of dedication and dedication to serving all Luray citizens.’
The city shared a Facebook past condemning racist remarks
At Monday’s meeting, residents came forward and asked the mayor to resign.
‘I’ve been here my whole life. Almost 70 years. And today I’m hurt, ‘said Barbara Veney, 69.
Veney, who had a father who was black and white and a mother who was Indian and black, shared that she was not taught racism.
She added that she learned ‘what comes out of your mouth can hurt and you have to be careful what you say because words hurt. ‘
‘We need someone with positive thinking that will shape this community. Not divided anymore, ‘she said. “To continue … I ask you today, Mr. Mayor, to step down in love – because I love you – and do the right thing.”
Presgraves revealed Monday that he had no intention of resigning. He is not looking for re-election.
“Hell no, I’m not resigning,” he told Page Valley News. ‘The people chose me and I have a few more months to serve.’
The mayor shared that he was surprised by the backlog.
“I thought it was humorous,” he said. ‘I had no idea people would react the way they did. I think people have gone overboard here … It’s an election year. ‘
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