After saying women "play a role in violent activity" in New Orleans, Mayor LaToya Cantrell today apologized for the comments.
The mayor unleashed a torrent of criticism last week when she addressed recent shootings and murders in which women were victims, even suggesting that the victims were targeted.
"I will say is none of these acts are random at all," said Cantrell Friday. "We have to understand is women also play a role in violent activity in our city. And so, they will remain under active investigation. Unfortunately, people are involved in criminal activity in our city and it plays out on the streets of New Orleans and it is all genders, right? And we’re seeing that."
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The family of murder victim Asia Davis said the mayor's remarks hurt them, and criticized the mayor for not being supportive of crime victims, especially women.
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The mayor then tried to walk back her remarks in a statement issued over the weekend.
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"These violent attacks on women cannot further stand," she said. "We must learn to respect and value one another’s lives if we want to create a safer and more welcoming New Orleans for everyone."
Today, the mayor sounded more contrite.
"I have apologized to family members directly, and those apologies have been accepted," the mayor said, adding she was grateful and humbled by the experience.