‘Truly sorry to all of you’: New Berlin mayor apologizes for anti-Muslim social media posts
Mayor Dave Ament made the apology at the beginning of Tuesday’s Common Council meeting just before the council unanimously passed a resolution formally condemning Ament’s posts.
NEW BERLIN, Wis. —
At Tuesday’s New Berlin Common Council meeting, Mayor Dave Ament publicly apologized for sharing anti-Muslim posts on Facebook.
Ament, who has served as mayor for more than 13 years and is currently in his fourth term, reposted content including one message that read, “If you voted for a Muslim for elected office in this country, you are a traitor.”
During Tuesday’s meeting, people sitting in the audience held up signs that read, “New Berlin deserves better” and “Resign, Mayor Ament.”
“This was to instill fear, exclusion and make people feel that they don’t belong,” said Fauzia Qureshi, Wisconsin Muslim Civic Alliance.
New Berlin Common Council Meeting
Ament stressed the posts were made on his personal Facebook page and not on any official city social media account.
“I take full responsibility for sharing them. I unfortunately did not take into account how these inappropriate posts could be insulting, offensive and hurtful. And I should have,” Ament said. “Rather than be a part of the solution in promoting dialogue on issues we all care about, I unfortunately contributed to the division that I wanted to heal. For this, I am sincerely sorry for the division and hurt I have caused many of you and in our community.”
Following his apology, Ament left the meeting as a police officer escorted him to his office.
The New Berlin Common Council then unanimously passed a resolution formally condemning Ament’s posts, supporting religious freedom within the community.
While there have been calls for Ament to resign, he remains in office.
This is a developing story that will be updated.