A Minneapolis city council member has apologized for his comments that appear to blame Somali youth for the chaos that erupted on July 4th in the downtown area.
The recorded comments by Third Ward councilman Michael Rainville were provided by the Wedge LIVE.
He posted Friday on Twitter that he unfairly singled out one group, adding that he was trying to convey there is need to find more support for the city's youth.
One person who accepted the apology is Abdul Artan, outreach coordinator for Dar Al-Qalam Islamic Center.
"He apologized in very strong terms and we took it in good faith," Artan told WCCO television. "Mistakes do happen, but if you come back and apologize, it's another level, and we have taken his apology."
Several Minneapolis council members earlier had called for the apology, and an official with the Minneapolis DFL said that racism has no place in Minnesota's largest city.