ESCANABA (WWJ/AP) - A city councilman in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has apologized for suggesting shooting demonstrators who commit violence or vandalism — saying it was just a joke.
Escanaba Council Member Ralph Blasier spoke during a meeting last Thursday about whether an Independence Day celebration planned for July 4 should continue during the coronavirus pandemic.
He read pandemic-related guidelines from a statement before the tone shifted dramatically, according to The Daily Press of Escanaba.
“Any person throwing objects at police, shooting at anyone, looting and setting fires will be shot in both legs and left lying there till dawn, and at dawn, each person will need to crawl to the hospital,” Blasier said, adding: “This text for your public announcement, people might want to alter it some. This is just the first draft. If I were alone in charge of the city, this is what I would publish, but I can see where some people might, change it a little bit.”
The comments amid nationwide protests following George Floyd’s death at the hands of police in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Many early protests devolved into vandalism and violence across in the U.S., and in a some parts of Michigan, including in Grand Rapids where businesses were damaged and looted.
Blasier apologized Friday, saying he thought he was clear he was joking.
“Obviously, many people did not think it was as funny as I did,” he said. “I apologize to anyone and everyone who was offended.”
On Friday, a petition was launched to recall Blasier, alleging that his apology was not sincere.
Those calling for his ouster also sent out a template for an email they suggest Escanaba residents send to City Council. The template reads as follows:
"Dear city officials of Escanaba,
My name is (insert name), and I am a resident of (insert city, state). I am emailing today to demand that Councilman Ralph Blasier be held accountable for his ignorant comments, including the following:
“Any person throwing objects at police, shooting at anyone, looting and setting fires will be shot in both legs and left lying there till dawn, and at dawn, each person will need to crawl to the hospital” - Ralph Blasier
Considering Councilman Blasier is a doctor in the community of Escanaba, it is both disgusting and disturbing that he would make this remark. Saying that “each person will need to crawl to the hospital” demonstrates a lack of empathy and a disdain for human suffering that is completely inappropriate, especially coming from a healthcare professional.
The First Amendment establishes the right to free speech and to peaceably assemble. By threatening violence against participants, he is invalidating this basic right inherent to all United States citizens. This comment not only encourages police brutality, but also violence by community members. With tensions running high in relation to issues of race and police, comments like these are inexcusable and must be corrected.
I demand that Councilman Blasier is removed from his position as councilman. His defense that this remark was meant to be “a bit facetious” is a gross misrepresentation of the weight held by a person in authority, specifically a member of Escanaba’s city council. These comments reflect that his thinly-veiled personal biases are affecting his service to the public, and further, promoting a poisonous and ignorant view of current events. He must be removed as his tasteless and racist biases are contributing to the systematic oppression of minorities as well as the acceptance and perpetuation of police brutality.
As city officials of Escanba, you must not allow Councilman Ralph Blaiser’s bigoted and tasteless remarks to be perceived as the voice of Escanba or Delta County as a whole. Therefore, Ralph Blasier must be removed from his position as councilman.
Sincerely, (insert name)"
Find the Change.org recall petition here.