CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The head of the Chicago police union is apologizing over his comments comparing the city of Chicago’s vaccine mandate for city workers to Nazi Germany.
John Catanzara, president of the Fraternal Order of Police, said he was speaking off the cuff and didn't think he was on the record.
After his comments drew sharp criticism from the Anti-Defamation League and others, he apologized in a YouTube video.
"Let me start with the people who were offended, those members of the Jewish community. In no way was I trying to tie forced vaccinations to the atrocities of the Holocaust, which is why I never used the word 'Holocaust.' I should not have made the reference like I did to the showers and for that I am sorry," Catanzara said.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot called the comments hatred and stupidity and said she doesn't believe that they were representative of the vast majority of police officers.
The city's vaccine mandate takes effect Oct. 15.
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