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Superior Mayor Stands By Remarks About Obama, Citing First Amendment Rights

Groups Plan Protests Next Week In Response

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Superior’s mayor is not backing away from controversial comments he made about President Barack Obama and the first lady on his personal Facebook page this week, even as a number of groups are planning protests and a city councilor moves to censure the city leader.

Under a Facebook photo of Michelle Obama, Superior Mayor Bruce Hagen wrote that she and the president have “destroyed the fabric of democracy,” and described the president as a “Muslim.” Amid the subsequent public outcry, Hagen said he wouldn’t resign, citing his right to free speech.

Twin Ports human rights activist Kym Young said she’s disappointed with the mayor. She said that groups will shut down city offices Monday and boycott city events.

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“The people of this community have a voice too, that this was not acceptable,” she said.

Young said the mayor’s comments are damaging. “Has he involved us now to the point where we will be seeing an escalated amount of violence and Islamophobia in this community?” she said.

Hagen released a statement Wednesday saying he is not a racist and offered no apology. He wrote: “My choice of words in responding to, what I believe to be insulting to me, may not have been versed well or to the liking of some. However, I like any other citizen or public official have the unalienable right to speak and represent my beliefs through the First Amendment.”

He added that he’s willing to repair any damages “directly and openly.”

Said Young in response to the mayor’s statement: “He might think he’s done talking about it … but we will be seeking a redress for his actions.”

A press conference will be held by groups like the Superior African Heritage Community and Justice City Coalition at Superior’s government center Monday morning. Nick Alexander, Superior’s police chief, issued a press release about Monday’s gathering, noting that obstructing any entries or exits to the government center is against the law.

“City employees should have the peace of mind that they can come and go from work and be safe,” he wrote.

Alexander said that he is reaching out to organizers of the shutdown to avoid “unnecessary conflict.”

Meanwhile, Councilor Graham Garfield said he plans to put a motion before the city council to censure Mayor Hagen.

“A motion to censure would be very appropriate, whereby we formally condemn his actions and put it on the record that he behaved inappropriately as a mayor,” said Garfield.

Garfield said he feels the mayor will be forced to resign and possibly face a recall election next spring.

“Due to the fact that he didn’t choose to apologize and that he kind of tried to take this route that it was his right to make these comments, I feel that there really is no course for him but to resign or step down at this point,” said Garfield.

The councilor said it’s likely an emergency city council meeting will be called after the holidays.