California mayor who said no ‘good person of color’ has been killed by police resigns
A Southern California mayor resigned Thursday after backlash over an email saying that he doesn’t “believe there’s ever been a good person of color killed by a police officer.”
Temecula Mayor James Stewart was responding to an email asking him what he was doing about racism and police violence, according to The Press-Enterprise.
Stewart told The Press-Enterprise he’s dyslexic and was using voice-to-text to write the message. He said he “absolutely” didn’t say the word “good” and didn’t proofread it before sending.
Stewart wrote on Facebook earlier on Thursday he meant that “no person of color was murdered by police in Temecula or Riverside County.”
“I sent a voice text last night to a person concerned about our police officers and their sensitivity training,” Stewart wrote. “I am very well known for my dyslexia so I voice text everything. Unfortunately I did not take the time to proofread what was recorded. I absolutely did not say that. What I said is and I don’t believe there has ever been a person of color murdered by police, on context to Temecula or Riverside county. I absolutely did not say ‘good’ I have no idea how that popped up. Please forgive me for this egregious error as you can see by the second half of the statement racism is not tolerated at any level in the city or the county.”
Resident Hannah de la Cruz, 33, said his response to the email was disrespectful, The Los Angeles Times reported. “After all the events that have transpired, the words our elected officials use are even more important,” de la Cruz said. “I do agree with him resigning. It’s the very least he owes us.”
Jennifer Evans, 39, told The Los Angeles Times that she was disappointed with the resignation. “Not only are we losing a mayor that has proven he loves his community, but our safe haven has become polarized due to these events,” she said.
Stewart resigned on Thursday and posted on his official Facebook page.
“City of Temecula, I hear you, I agree with you, and I am deeply sorry,” Stewart wrote on Facebook. “I owe everyone an apology including our citizens of all backgrounds and ethnicities, City staff, and my respected colleagues on the City Council. You have every right to be hurt and offended. My typos and off-the-cuff response to an email on a serious topic added pain at a time where our community, and our country, is suffering. I may not be the best writer and I sometimes misspeak, but I am not racist. I deeply regret this mistake and I own it, entirely. I am truly sorry.”
“I understand that even my sincerest apologies cannot remedy this situation,” he continued. “Because actions speak louder than words, I will step down as your Mayor and City Council Member effective immediately. It has been a true honor to serve this great City and its citizens. My love for Temecula and its residents is beyond expression.”
National protests over George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died in Minneapolis police custody, entered their 11th day on Friday.
Hundreds of protesters in Temecula gathered Saturday for over six hours until Riverside County sheriff’s deputies ordered them to leave, Patch reported.
Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, was shown on video kneeling on Floyd’s neck for more than 8 minutes, including nearly 3 minutes after he became unresponsive. Chauvin was arrested on May 29, according to the Minnesota Public Safety Commissioner.
Chauvin’s charges were heightened to second-degree murder Wednesday, McClatchy News reported. Chauvin was previously charged with third-degree murder. The other three Minneapolis officers on the scene of Floyd’s death have also been charged, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced Wednesday.
