Arnold council asks state officials to remove mayor

elsewhere, along with comments that said “we need one of these” and “bring Arnold City Council has the hoses” regarding protests asked the governor and following the June 19 state Senate to remove the fatal shooting of Antwon, town’s mayor after a series 17, in East Pittsburgh by of controversial Facebook East Pittsburgh police Officer posts, including one in Michael Rosfeld. which she said people protesting Officer Rosfeld has been the fatal police charged with homicide. shooting of Antwon Rose II “We understand that should be hit with water these remarks may be protected cannons. speech under the

In a letter dated July 13 First Amendment to the and obtained Tuesday by United States Constitution,” the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the letter states. council members “However, we believe that asked the Senate to remove these remarks crossed the Mayor Karen Peconi after line of protected speech. “racially discriminatory The words are a call to action posts about former President to harm citizens and Obama, Muslims and should not be taken lightly the Confederate flag.” by the Legislature. She is Council members wrote the mayor of a city and at that the posts raise questions the time had a wide following about Ms. Peconi’s on her Facebook page.” ability to govern without Ms. Peconi’s Facebook prejudice. page has since been deleted,

“As a result of her comments, according to the letter. the mayor has lost Arnold’s council last the confidence of the citizens week passed a motion, 4-0, to lead this city in a to send the letter requesting meaningful manner,” that Harrisburg intervene. council members wrote. Ms. Peconi has refused

The letter includes attached to step down amid screenshots of racist calls for her resignation. and anti-Muslim posts Councilman Phillip on Ms. Peconi’s Facebook McKinley said last week page. It was sent to Senate that he decided to pursue President Joe Scarnati, RJefferson; the letter after learning of a Majority Leader similar situation in a York Jake Corman, R-Centre; County borough in 2016. Democratic Leader Jay The West York borough Costa, D-Forest Hills; and council asked the governor Jim Brewster, DMcKeesport. and Senate to remove its Gov. Tom mayor after he posted racist Wolf was copied. images depicting the

The letter specifically Obama family on Facebook. asks that the Senate appoint West York’s thenmayor, a special committee Charles Wasko, to investigate and address later resigned. council’s complaints and Ms. Peconi could not immediately recommends that the governor be reached for remove Ms. Peconi comment Tuesday afternoon. from office.

Ms. Peconi drew criticism last month after sharing a video on her Facebook page of water cannons blasting protesters Pittsburgh Post-Gazette