NAACP press conference calls for action from city leaders
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on January 25, 2017 7:44 PM
Full SizeBetween 50 and 75 people attended a press conference Wednesday evening at Rebuilding Broken Places in Goldsboro called by the Goldsboro/Wayne branch of the NAACP.
At issue was a since-removed Facebook post uploaded by Goldsboro Police Chief Mike West with what appeared to be a digitally-altered image of West wearing now-President Donald Trump's yellow hair with a caption that reads, "Making Goldsboro PD great again."
NAACP leaders said many in the community found the image offensive, given the view held by many that Trump either is racist, or is at least not concerned with the fact that he is supported by known racists and white supremacy groups.
West apologized earlier in the day if his post had offended anyone and said he had no racist intent when posting it.
Leaders who spoke at the press conference said the image West posted sends the wrong message, given his position and the current climate in the country between law enforcement and portions of the black community.
For a full account of what unfolded, including demands for disciplinary action, for the adoption of a written social media policy for all city employees both on and off duty, and for a meeting with the city's top administrative bodies, see tomorrow's issue of the Goldsboro News-Argus.