Haley issues apology; has backing of NAACP branch presidents
Illinois NAACP conference president Teresa Haley of Springfield issued an apology Thursday for remarks she made on a video last month likening migrants to "savages" and rapists.
“First and foremost, I express my sincere apologies to anyone who may have been hurt or offended by my comments," Haley said in a statement. "I love and value all members of our communities — including immigrants. I have worked tirelessly to advocate for the underserved and the voiceless. I remain focused on denouncing injustices, racism, and discrimination."
A press release from the state conference said that branch presidents met Wednesday and "unanimously supported Haley’s quintessential leadership skills."
Ex-DuPage County NAACP head calls on Haley to quit state post after comments about migrants
The one-minute-and-forty-eight-second video of Haley making the remarks during an NAACP state presidents' meeting last month was recorded and made public by former NAACP DuPage County president Patrick Watson. It was a segment in a nearly two-hour-long video.
Referring to migrants who have been bussed to Chicago, Haley said "these immigrants have come over here, they've been raping people. They've been breaking into homes. They're like savages, as well."
Haley made the comments after another branch president brought up the migrant situation in Chicago, where more than 13,000 people are being sheltered.
Her written apology continued, "I am empathetic to the plight of all people, and I proudly serve as a beacon of hope to the hopeless. I embrace the mission of the NAACP, which is to 'Achieve equity, political rights, and social inclusion by advancing policies and practices that expand human and civil rights, eliminate discrimination, and accelerate the well-being, education, and economic security of Black people and all persons of color.'"
Watson said he resigned his position, but according to Thursday's statement from the state conference, Watson received a vote of no confidence from branch members.
Haley, 58, was first elected in 2015 as president of the NAACP state chapter, the first woman to ascend to that position. She also heads the Springfield chapter of the civil rights group.
In 2020, Haley won the inaugural Activist of the Year Award presented at the NAACP Image Awards.
Watson also responded Thursday saying he was not surprised by the state conference support of Haley.
“Of course, who would not expect there would be an attempt to create a campaign centered on focusing and finding fault with me..."
This story will be updated.
Contact Steven Spearie: (217) 622-1788; sspearie@sj-r.com; X, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Illinois NAACP president Teresa Haley apologizes for comments
