Protests Outside City Hall Voice Grievances
By Doug Dalager
Protesters holding handmade signs outside Superior City Hall. Lynn Goerdt (middle) is an employee of UWS. Laura Gapske is on the right. The gentleman on the left is unidentified. (Photo credit to Ivy Vainio)
Protesters of Mayor Hagen’s Facebook comment last week convened outside Superior City Hall this morning at 8:00 a.m. for a news conference. Draped in an American flag, Superior resident Kym Young acted as spokesperson for the gathered protesters, and was flanked by supporters carring hand-made posters proclaiming “Your Free Speech is Hate Speech” and “All I Want for X-mas is Bruce Hagen’s Resignation.”
Speaking for a group known as the Justice City Coalition, in cooperation with the Superior African Heritage Coalition, and Duluth-Superior Save the Kids, Young demanded that Mayor Hagen resign from his position as elected mayor of Superior. Her organization is asking for “redress and redemption” and ask that “our elected leader, Bruce Hagen, takes responsibility for the serious damage that his carelessness has elicited in our community.”
Mayor Bruce Hagen (Explore Superior©)
The Facebook comment that Hagen has accepted responsibility for appeared on Monday, December 21st in which he referenced a picture of first lady Michelle Obama on a friend’s Facebook page by writing “Unbelievable! She and her Muslim partner have destroyed the fabric of democracy that was so very hard fought for.”
Subsequent to this derogatory statement becoming a trending topic on local social media, the mayor defended his comment as his right to free speech as guaranteed by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. He issued a written statement on city stationary stating that he wouldn’t apologize for his views, nor would he resign. He wrote, “we all have our beliefs and mine is not one of being a racist.”
Five Superior City Councilors faced the cameras one week ago today to express their unhappiness with Mayor Hagen’s comment, and to ask that he apologize. The next day, Tuesday, December 22nd, the Justice City Coalition demanded the Mayor resign and apologize, or they would call for a boycott of all City and Mayoral sponsored events, specifically mentioning the Ice Project planned to begin construction on Barker’s Island.
Tom Fennessy, Superior City Council President
Council President Tom Fennessy went on record later that night, asking the Mayor to apologize as well. He expressed his disapproval of the Mayor’s Facebook comment. While understanding the Mayor’s stance that his comment was about his right to free speech, Fennessy has been quoted as saying “we’re elected officials and held to a higher standard.”
Subsequent to Fennessy’s statement, the four remaining councilors either expressed support of the Mayor, or declined to comment.
Negative Facebook Comments appearing on the City of Superior’s Facebook page
The mayor’s comment was viewed as being racially motivated by the Justice City Coalition because it was interpreted as targeting a specific group of people, those who identify as Muslim, in a negative fashion.
Since this confrontation started one week ago, the City of Superior Facebook page has been lit up by both negative and supportive remarks regarding Mayor Hagen.
Negative Facebook comments have referred to Hagen as an imbecile, bigot, failed Christian, idiot, racist, an embarrassment, and ignorant scum.
These remarks have been countered by others who have strongly defended his right to free speech. It should be noted that most of the negative comments within two days after this story broke.
Those defending the mayor began posting supportive comments on Christmas Eve, and have alternated between urging him to not back down, and showing general support for him.
Since the public cannot directly post on the City’s Facebook page, these comments have appeared as Comments to a City post regarding the Holiday Garbage Collection Schedule, and another seeking Ice Rink Attendants.
It is debatable whether Hagen’s absence from City Hall during the protest was helpful or hurtful. Had he been in attendance and spoke with the protesters, perhaps some understanding and common ground might have been found.
On the other hand, his absence may have deflated the rhetoric a bit. Hagen is currently on a two month vacation that has been planned since June. Lest the public think he is not attending to business he was quoted as saying, “I work from wherever I am, vacation or not, seven days a week.”
Young hopes to collect 3000 petition signatures in support of Hagen’s resignation. She began collecting signatures this morning in the cold chill that prevailed both inside and outside of City Hall regarding this divisive issue. Protesters were permitted to also use the rotunda inside City Hall. It should be noted that the protest was peaceful and non-destructive.
Editorial Comment:
I reflect on that age-old piece of advice that fathers have been giving their sons for many years on the eve of their marriages. “Son, all you need to get yourself out of most marital predicaments are two words…I’m sorry.”
Those two words are perhaps the two most difficult words for anyone to utter, especially for elected officials. Showing regret by apologizing for saying something that offended others is also an example of free speech.
Mayor Hagen is a good man, who has done many good things for our city. I believe that he is NOT a racist, nor is he a bigot. He is an intelligent and caring person who wants what is best for Superior. I also believe he is a man who is subject to making a mistake just as we all are.
Finally, I believe that Ms. Young doesn’t truly want the Mayor to resign no matter what…she just wants to be heard. She wants someone to say “I’m sorry.” It’s time to stop posturing about free speech and start listening. Isn’t the Christmas season all about forgiveness?
As a friend and a resident of Superior, I call on Mayor Hagen to apologize for the comment he made on Facebook. He can believe whatever he wants to believe, but by publicizing his belief on a public forum like Facebook he has exposed himself and the City of Superior to extreme criticism. As Councilor Fennessy has said, elected officials are held to a higher standard.
This entire fight is not representative of the character of Superiorites, nor is it helpful as other city leaders are attempting to encourage investment in our city. While national politicians are obsessed with building fences and shutting people out, it’s time that everyone concerned sit around a table and hash this out. Mayor Hagen, ignoring a problem seldom solves it.
Perhaps this video best explains the dilemma the Mayor finds himself in…
