The mayor of Newport, Oregon, resigned on July 11, citing a meme posted on social media that was deemed controversial and offensive, according to KATU.

News outlet OPB has released a meme posted by Newport Mayor Dean Sawyer on a Facebook group called “LEO Only” since 2016. The meme reportedly included controversial jokes about Mexicans and transgender people, and made fun of celebrities Leah Thomas and Dylan Mulvaney. according to to OPB.

Following the news, activists held protests over the weekend demanding Sawyer’s resignation, the report said. Kathu. (Related: Some demonstrators demand de Blasio resign, Justin Fairfax breaks curfew on 8th night of riot)

Sawyer explained that the Facebook account is a private group and that the posts were “obviously” not intended to be made public, OPB noted. He explained that he cares about the health of the Newport community and that his public affairs are separate from his private life.

The mayor of Newport apologized and resigned over an offensive post he posted on a closed Facebook group for current and retired police officers. https://t.co/uPWx8bozZC

—KTVZ NewsChannel 21 (@KTVZ) July 10, 2023

“These comments were a whole other thing,” Sawyer explained. “They don’t reflect who I am or what I do every day. They were stupid. They were young.”

Sawyer added, “I apologize to everyone in this community and to everyone who was hurt directly or indirectly by my actions.”

City manager Spencer Nebel recalled in January 2021 how the city of Newport embraced the values ​​of diversity, equity and inclusion, KATU reports.

“This statement specifically states: In the strongest terms, the City of Newport condemns racism, discrimination and other types of prejudice,” Nebel said. “The City recognizes that communities are strengthened by their diversity and that City facilities and services exist to serve all members of the community. Racism and prejudice are never endorsed or tolerated. It should not be taken, but rather identified and condemned.”

According to KATU, Sawyer served as a city councilor in 2011 and as mayor in 2018. The city has proven that Mr. Sawyer, as mayor, “has been an effective lobbyist at the state and federal levels to secure significant funding for Big Creek Dam and other urban projects.”

The paper said former city council chairman Jan Kaplan, who was temporarily mayor, thanked Mr Sawyer for his work and reprimanded him for making offensive posts.

“So many people, the messages sent to me and to the city council, at one point they couldn’t count, over 70. People are hurting. Some are feeling unsafe,” Kaplan said. said.

Other city council members are meeting at city hall to discuss future policies, and a new mayor will be elected in the coming weeks.