Justice Coalition Demands Mayor Resign by Christmas Eve

1881

Muslim Reference Regarding President Obama on Facebook at Issue

By Doug Dalager

In a press release from the Justice City Coalition, Kym Young announced this afternoon that there will be a planning meeting held Wednesday evening via phone conference with members of the Justice City Coalition to discuss a response to Mayor Bruce Hagen’s Facebook comment regarding President Obama this past Sunday evening.

According to Young, community support is gathering for united action as a result of Hagen’s comment and subsequent decision to not apologize for claiming that Obama is a Muslim. The group has characterized his actions as “racist, Islamophobic and highly disrespectful of the high office of the presidency of these United States.” Explore Superior published an article about this issue on Monday night; follow this LINK for a detailed account of this. The story has also been picked up by the Washington Times in an article by Jessica Chasmar.

Quote taken from Mayor Hagen's Facebook page | Explore Superior

Quote taken from Mayor Hagen’s Facebook page

 

The coalition advised Explore Superior that they have contacted the five city council members who called upon the Mayor to apologize Monday evening in hopes of obtaining their support. The councilors, led by Graham Garfield (6th district), also include Dan Olson (1st district), Warren Bender (3rd district), Denise McDonald (5th district), and Esther Dalbec (10th district). All five councilors appeared on local television yesterday asking that the Mayor apologize for his comment. He has to this point declined to do so.

At issue is a comment made on Facebook by Hagen deemed highly derogatory by the coalition. They also assert his comment was disrespectful and of racist intent that “isolates and inflames animosity” towards the Islamic community, people of color and “debases the good citizens of Superior Wisconsin.” Dan Hanger, anchor of FOX 21 TV in Duluth covered this story last night in the following news story.

Ibrahim al Qudah, President of the Islamic Center of the Twin Ports, told Explore Superior that he was “extremely shocked” when he heard of the mayor’s comments, and found them to be frightening. Coincidentally, Qudah has been employed by the City of Superior for the past 11 years as a civil engineer in the Department of Public Works. A resident of the Twin Ports since 2003, and a naturalized citizen, he feels as though Superior is his hometown.

Qudah expressed concern about the “craziness” of current events across the country and the world, asserting that it is causing people to abandon logic and dwell in fear.  While the social climate causes him some fear for his family, he combats that with a desire to engage people in conversation in hopes that once they get to know him they will see beyond their prejudices. To be clear, Qudah, known to his friends as Abe, is not affiliated with the various groups that comprise the coalition. He does however invite the public to visit the Islamic Center of the Twin Ports.

Young also stated that she is “optimistic that this situation will be resolved”, and that coalition members “are prepared to take appropriate action including peaceful civil disobedience if necessary” in order to obtain a favorable outcome from this situation.

Young indicated that the coalition is demanding the immediate resignation of Mayor Hagen, a complete retraction of his disrespectful comments on Facebook, and a public and written apology to the people of Superior, the President and the First Lady.

In the event that there is no response from Mayor Hagen or action on his part to resign by the end of the business day on Christmas Eve, Young states that the Superior African Heritage Community (SAHC), the Justice City Coalition, and other sympathetic parties will take immediate action on Monday morning December 28th. She has scheduled a news conference for that morning at 8:15 a.m. on the front steps of City Hall.

Young says the coalition is prepared to attempt a complete shutdown of all traffic and business entering the Mayor’s office and Superior City Hall. She has also threatened an economic boycott of any and all City and Mayoral sponsored events, including the planned Ice Project & Festival until such time as the coalitions demands are met.

The coalition is also calling for a “town hall meeting” to discuss racial targeting of “Black Lives Matter” protestors in the Twin Cities, racist sentiments in Superior, and to address how local elected officials propose to combat racism, racial profiling and discrimination in the Twin Ports.

According to Young, the Justice City Coalition invited groups not directly affiliated with the Justice City Coalition to join in solidarity. She says she does not speak for these groups, but invites them to stand in solidarity with this action. She characterizes the gourps as grassroots activists, individuals, and community organizations in the Twin Ports, including the Superior African Heritage Community (SAHC), Duluth-Superior Save the Kids, Citizens In Action, members of the Clayton Jackson McGhie Board, NAACP, and various Superior and Duluth community leaders. They count University of Wisconsin-Superior students, staff and faculty as supporters as well.

Mayor Hagen responded to a request by Explore Superior for comment shortly after this post was published. We share his comment with you here in total:

My reaction to a post that I took note of violating my personal freedom and rights was justified. I normally ignore such and only go out on social media to keep up with kids, grandkids and some friends. However, and often being the target of very nasty as well as foul comments, I do not pass them by lightly.

I may be a public official but I am also a sensitive and caring person that will not be trampled by nay sayers and ill intending people. I too have the same rights and freedom as all Americans. I am a Christian, a firm believer in God – the only and highest power will not be intimidated or retract from my beliefs. – Mayor Bruce Hagen

We’ve also been advised by the mayor’s administrative assistant that he will hold a press conference Wednesday morning (Dec. 23rd) at 9 a.m. in the Superior City Council Chambers.




4 thoughts on “Justice Coalition Demands Mayor Resign by Christmas Eve

  1. Daniel Matthes

    Christian? Really, so when it says in Romans 13: 1-7 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities for there is no authority except from God, and therefore whoever resists authority, resists what God has appointed . How does that fit with his Christianity? Oh yeah, he’s a Christian when it fits his need.

    Reply
  2. Brandon St. Germaine

    I don’t think there even needs to be a legal precedent or reason necessary to boot this guy out of office. These comments don’t portray a very intelligent, aware representative (or person in general.) I don’t know what implies more stupidity: Not being aware of Obama’s actual religion, or thinking there’s a conspiracy to hide his religion, or hating an entire group of people because of the actions of less than .0001% of that group. No interpretation of this guy’s thinking says “Run a city.”

    Reply
  3. Jeff Miletich

    “His Honor” has violated the separation of church & state with his comment “I am a Christian, a firm believer in God – the only and highest power …” along with the lie about our president. Once more, religion is causing problems. Maybe he should be checked out to see if he’s gone senile.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More in City, Government
Five City Councilors Call For Mayor to Apologize

Facebook Comment Embroils Mayor in Controversy Five Superior City Councilors have called for Mayor Bruce Hagen to apologize for a...

Janet Bewley
Over the River and Through the Woods

Bewley Column By Senator Janet Bewley Although we might not have a lot of snow on the ground, it is...

Close