Maine city councilor apologizes for racist speech

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AUBURN, Maine (AP) A city councilor apologized on Friday for racist remarks he made during a discussion about appointing a gateway to former mayor John Jenkins.

In a statement, Leroy Walker reiterated that the late Jenkins, who was black, had been a good friend of mine for 40 years and did not want to disrespect him or his family.

He said his comments at Tuesday’s city council meeting were insensitive and inappropriate, the Sun Journal reported.

Walker said he would use the days and weeks ahead to speak and seek advice from diversity and communications experts in order to communicate more effectively for and with my constituents.

I will use this time to reflect and learn from this experience, Walker said.

Jenkins, who died last year, was the first black man to serve as the state senator of Maine. He was also mayor of Lewiston and Auburn.

Auburn and Lewiston city councils denounced his comments before the councilor apologized. The Council on US-Islamic Relations called for his resignation.

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