NEWPORT, Ore. — The mayor of a metropolis on the Oregon coast has apologized and resigned over offensive content material he posted in a personal Facebook group for present and retired law enforcement officials.
Oregon Public Broadcasting reported that Newport Mayor Dean Sawyer apologized and resigned Monday morning, three days after the media outlet revealed that since 2016, Sawyer had been sharing memes and posts denigrating ladies, immigrants, non-English audio system and the LGBTQ+ group within the Facebook group with 39,000 members. His posts in current weeks particularly focused transgender group, OPB reported.
An area LGBTQ+ delight group held an indication over the weekend at City Hall, with greater than 100 individuals demanding that Sawyer depart workplace. Five of his six colleagues on the Newport City Council attended the protest and appeared able to ask for his resignation at a particular assembly scheduled for Monday. The police chief within the central coast metropolis of about 10,000 and the Lincoln County sheriff additionally condemned Sawyer’s posts.
“I feel really happy and just proud that we as a city in Newport all came together and spoke our minds, shared our feelings in a positive, amazing way,” mentioned Kathy Redwine, who’s on the board of Newport Oregon Pride. “It would have been bad if it kept going on with all that hurt and distrust.”
Sawyer advised OPB on Friday that the Facebook group referred to as LEO Only is a personal group and posts aren’t meant for the general public. On Monday, he advised The Oregonian/OregonDwell that his on-line persona had change into too polarizing for him to proceed.
“I now realize that some of my actions and my words have hurt people I love and care about,” Sawyer mentioned. “This is something that I take full responsibility for. I am sorry to everyone in this community and anyone hurt by my actions, directly or indirectly.”
He mentioned his posts have been “vile and dark, and I shouldn’t have gotten involved in it,” in accordance with The Oregonian/OregonDwell.
“It’s not freedom of speech, it was stupid speech,” Sawyer mentioned.
OPB reported that it had reviewed the memes however didn’t say the way it acquired entry. The Facebook group requires proof of an energetic or retired legislation enforcement ID to hitch.
Sawyer was a Newport police officer for 3 a long time earlier than he was elected mayor in 2018.
Content Source: www.washingtontimes.com