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Formal Complaints Filed Against 'Proud racist' Councilman
Bob Kellar (via City of Santa Clarita)
Bob Kellar (via City of Santa Clarita)
An immigrant rights' group has filed formal complaints against Santa Clarita Councilman Bob Kellar for remarks he made last month during an anti-illegal immigration rally, according to LA Now. The LA-based Full Rights for Immigrants Coalition sent letters to state Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown, Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley and the U.S. Department of Justice, alleging Kellar "breached the public’s trust and has acted in an unethical, racist, xenophobic and biased manner by making public comments scapegoating so-called illegal immigrants.”
The group believes Kellar has violated Santa Clarita's code of ethics by including in his public remarks that he is a "proud racist" in the context of describing his pro-American views ("If that's what you think I am because I happen to believe in America. I'm a proud racist. You're darn right I am," he told a crowd on Jan. 16). Further, the group alleges he has gone against his city's "ethics and conduct policy, which requires that municipal leaders be 'independent, impartial and accountable to the people they serve.'"
Kellar claims his words were taken out of context, and has since been bombarded with accusatory calls, letters, and emails.
Kellar's remarks have created a massive divide in Santa Clarita, where residents are defending their representative's choice to express his personal views, and those, like members of groups like the Full Rights for Immigrants Coalition, who feel Kellar was irresponsible in making such a statement in his capacity as a civic leader.
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