Complaint accuses Santa Clarita official of racism
The Associated Press
Posted: 02/10/2010 06:35:18 AM PST
Updated: 02/10/2010 06:35:18 AM PST
SANTA CLARITA, Calif.—An activist group has filed complaints with local, state and federal prosecutors against a Santa Clarita city councilman who described himself as a "proud racist."
The Full Rights for Immigrants Coalition says Bob Kellar violated Santa Clarita's ethics policy and acted in a racist manner by making comments condemning illegal immigrants.
The group announced Tuesday that it's sent formal complaints to the U.S. Department of Justice, the state attorney general and the Los Angeles County district attorney.
At a rally in the Los Angeles suburb last month, Kellar said that if his support for an America with one flag and one language—English—leads some to call him racist, then he's a proud racist.
Kellar says the remarks were taken out of context and he abhors racism.
http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_14372614
Formal Complaints Filed Against 'Proud racist' Councilman
An immigrant rights' group has filed formal complaints against Santa Clarita Councilman Bob Kellar for remarks he made last month during an anti-illegal immigration rally, according to LA Now.
The LA-based Full Rights for Immigrants Coalition sent letters to state Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown, Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley and the U.S. Department of Justice, alleging Kellar "breached the public’s trust and has acted in an unethical, racist, xenophobic and biased manner by making public comments scapegoating so-called illegal immigrants.”
The group believes Kellar has violated Santa Clarita's code of ethics by including in his public remarks that he is a "proud racist" in the context of describing his pro-American views ("If that's what you think I am because I happen to believe in America. I'm a proud racist. You're darn right I am," he told a crowd on Jan. 16). Further, the group alleges he has gone against his city's "ethics and conduct policy, which requires that municipal leaders be 'independent, impartial and accountable to the people they serve.'"
Kellar claims his words were taken out of context, and has since been bombarded with accusatory calls, letters, and emails.
Kellar's remarks have created a massive divide in Santa Clarita, where residents are defending their representative's choice to express his personal views, and those, like members of groups like the Full Rights for Immigrants Coalition, who feel Kellar was irresponsible in making such a statement in his capacity as a civic leader.
http://laist.com/2010/02/10/formal_c...gainst_pro.php
Complaint Filed Over Councilman's "Proud Racist" Comment
A shouting rematch erupts outside City Hall in what has become a familiar sight
Santa Clarita's self-described "proud racist" council member says he did nothing wrong. Some community activists disagree, and they made their case Tuesday night with a formal complaint.
During Tuesday's council meeting, members of the Full Rights for Immigrants Coalition handed Councilman Bob Kellar and his colleagues the complaint. According to The Signal, the complaint detailed which parts of the city's ethics code the group's members think Keller violated.
"You apologize when you've done something wrong," Kellar said before the meeting.
Before the meeting, the coalition conducted a news conference outside City Hall that was attended by Kellar's supporters. You see where this is going.
The two groups confronted one another shouted back and forth. A woman driving a white car stopped in front of City Hall and yelled at coalition members: "Get the freak out of my town! ... What's wrong with you people?"
A sheriff's deputy walked over to tell her to keep driving.
While the coalition was holding its conference, Randy Thompson, 47, of Saugus yelled in coalition members' faces.
"I don't want to hear what you have to say because you're here supporting illegal immigration," Thompson barked. "Not one of you lives in Santa Clarita."
Some coalition members shouted back. During the screaming match, Thompson and others tried to drown them out by loudly chanting Bob Kellar's name.
The coalition also announced Tuesday that it sent formal complaints to the U.S. Department of Justice, the state attorney general and the Los Angeles County district attorney.
The uproar and subsequent shouting matches began after a rally last month in Santa Clarita. Kellar said that if his support for an America with one flag and one language -- English -- leads some to call him racist, then he's a proud racist.
Kellar said the comments have been taken out of context.
The coalition's complaint comes after a Jan. 26 council meeting at which the city attorney and council members said Kellar did not violate the ethics code. The Signal reported that a majority of people who spoke at that meeting supported Kellar.
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