*A Virginia mayor is being urged to step down after joking on social media that Joe Biden “just announced Aunt Jemima” as his running mate.
Luray Mayor Barry Presgraves, 77, said he was sorry at a town council meeting on Monday for the Aug. 2 Facebook post that was later removed — but not before a council member, town officials and residents in the community called for the three-term mayor to resign.
Presgraves’ Aug. 2 Facebook post appeared to mock Biden’s intention to chose a woman of color for his ticket. In addition to Sen. Kamala Harris, whom he ultimately chose, Biden’s shortlist at the time included Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Florida Rep. Val Demings, California Rep. Karen Bass and Susan Rice, who served as President Barack Obama’s national security adviser.
“I understand what I posted on social media was wrong, offensive and unbecoming,” Presgraves said during the meeting, WTOP reports. “I also want to make a direct apology to all people of color and women. Passing of demeaning and worn-out racial stereotypes as humor isn’t funny.”
Watch a news report on the protesters calling for Presgraves’ resignation below.
