US mayor RESIGNS after sparking outrage over racist Facebook post describing Michelle Obama as an ‘ape in heels’
Beverly Whaling, mayor of Clay in West Virginia, quits amid calls for her to be sacked over response to 'vile' message
THE mayor of a US town has resigned after coming under fire over a “racist” social media post about Michelle Obama.
Beverly Whaling – mayor of Clay in West Virginia – quit amid calls for her to be sacked for her response to a Facebook post by another official, calling America’s first lady an “ape”.
Clay County Development Corp director Pamela Ramsey Taylor wrote: "It will be refreshing to have a classy, beautiful, dignified First Lady in the White House. I'm tired of seeing a Ape in heels (sic)."
Whaling responded to the post by commenting: "Just made my day Pam."
Taylor yesterday revealed the organisation had put her on leave after writing the controversial message following Donald Trump's shock election victory last week.
And Whaling has now also been forced to quit amid mounting public criticism.
The posts, first reported by , were shared hundreds of times on social media before they were deleted – vanishing along with Taylor and Whaling’s Facebook accounts.
The two women have since apologised for their remarks, but denied that they were being racist.
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Whaling told the : “My comment was not intended to be racist at all.
“I was referring to my day being made for change in the White House!
“I am truly sorry for any hard feeling this may have caused!
“Those who know me know that I'm not of any way racist!
“Again, I would like to apologise for this getting out of hand!”
Taylor was also reported to have said sorry on her Facebook account, which has now been set to private.
Nevertheless, an online petition was set up calling for both women to be sacked from their roles.
Owens Brown, director of the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People's West Virginia chapter, is among those calling for the removal of both women.
He said: “I feel so it's unfortunate that people still have these racist undertones.
“Unfortunately, this is a reality that we are dealing with in America today.
“There's no place for these types of attitudes in our state.”
Many social media users also slammed the pair, branding their comments “vile”, “disgusting” and “racist”.
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