Council President Natali Fani-González started Tuesday morning’s council session with a strong condemnation of two Maryland delegates for what she described as their “racist remarks.”
On a Friends of Mark Fisher Facebook post, Delegates Fisher and Brian Chisholm spoke about Delegate Chau Wu, who represents Clarksburg and Damascus as well as parts of Howard County. Fani-González called the delegates’ remarks “very hateful” against Wu and the Asian community.
On Monday, Fani-González issued a statement from the council. “We join our partners in Annapolis in strongly condemning the racist remarks made by two House of Delegates members against Del. Chao Wu (D-9A, representing parts of Montgomery and Howard Counties). The Council stands in solidarity with Del. Wu, and our entire Asian American community, and condemns all acts of hate and ethnic bigotry.”
The statement also noted, “The comments made by these House of Delegates members about a fellow delegate are disgraceful and shameful. As elected officials, this incident reinforces that we can, and must, have policy disagreements without stooping to hate.”
Personal Attacks
Fani-González said the incident reminded her of all the hate she and her fellow councilmembers receive. She pointed out Councilman Evan Glass, who she said is targeted as a gay man. She also pointed to Glass, and Councilmembers Andrew Friedson and Sidney Katz, who she said receive hate mail “just because you are Jewish.”
She noted that earlier this month, Councilmember Will Jawando was the subject of an “awful, shameful” cartoon involving stereotypes.
Fani-González said she too is a constant victim of hate attacks “for my beautiful accent” and comments questioning her immigration status.
“This is the time we all need to come together,” Fani-González said during Tuesday’s council session. “We need to watch our words,” she said, adding, “Our children are watching.”
A Salute to Heritage Month
During the council meeting, a proclamation commemorating Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month was issued that was followed by a celebration in the council office’s building cafeteria in Rockville.
In a news release celebrating the month, Fani-González said, “This Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we celebrate the richness of cultures and perspectives that make our communities stronger.”
She added, “We’re proud to recognize local leaders across fields whose talent, resilience and dedication continue to inspire and uplift our communities and make them more vibrant and innovative for all.”
