The Arizona Republic

Phoenix councilman’s post criticized

- DUSTIN GARDINER

Councilman Sal DiCiccio deleted a Facebook and Twitter post on Wednesday after numerous social-media users accused him of minimizing racism with a meme.

The brouhaha started when DiCiccio posted an image, on both social platforms, that read, “Good morning America! What are we offended by, today?” alongside a picture of a man with his arms stretched out in a nonchalant pose.

DiCiccio’s post quickly struck a bitter chord with many users given heightened racial tensions in the wake of violence at a white nationalis­t and neo-Nazi protest in Charlottes­ville, Virginia, last weekend.

His post went up the same morning as a memorial service was held for Heather Heyer, who was killed by a driver who mowed down anti-racist protesters.

“It is notable that this tweet hit while #HeatherHey­er’s father was sobbing at her memorial after she was murdered by a Nazi. Classy indeed,” one Twitter user wrote in reaction.

DiCiccio soon deleted the meme and posted a statement saying it was intended to be a joke.

“I have zero tolerance for Nazis, Neo-Nazis, white supremacis­ts, or anyone else who puts the race of an individual before the character of that individual — period. I find them despicable,” DiCiccio’s post read.

“At the same time, we need to get our sense of humor back. We need to stop conflating policy disagreeme­nts with personal attacks.”

But the statement — specifical­ly the part where DiCiccio called the meme a joke — continued to draw strong reactions throughout the day, with numer-

ous comments, including by DiCiccio supporters and critics alike.

“The fact that you had to clarify is ridiculous,” one Twitter user wrote in defense of DiCiccio. “Are people really so dense and eager to be offended that they’ll lose their minds over this?”

The issue also drew a reaction from DiCiccio’s opponent in the Aug. 29 City Council election.

Challenger Kevin Patterson posted on Twitter that he was “offended by Sal’s lack of class.”

Randy Perez, Patterson’s campaign manager, accused DiCiccio of lacking sincerity in his response. Perez noted that DiCiccio’s statement says it was posted by his chief of staff, Sam Stone, not the councilman himself.

“He didn’t even mean it,” Perez said. “I think for a public official to have to be pulled back by his team … is really sad.”

DiCiccio did not respond to a request for further comment about his post.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States