New Berlin mayor leaves Common Council meeting amid growing calls for his resignation
NEW BERLIN, Wis. (CBS 58) -- More than a dozen people spoke during public comment at a New Berlin Common Council meeting Tuesday, Aug. 25, asking for Mayor David Ament to resign after community members say he shared several posts on social media they consider Islamophobic.
But the Mayor was not at the meeting to listen. He left after issuing an apology.
“First of all, you wanna acknowledge the harm caused and you wanna listen. Where is Mayor Ament right now? Why did he leave this room?” said Ann Herrera Ward, a New Berlin resident.
One by one, community members stepped up to the podium at the New Berlin Common Council meeting, each person calling for the resignation of Mayor Ament.
“There are no mosques in Berlin. So, I don’t know which mosque this mayor wants to shut down. And he has no jurisdiction on the mosques in other suburbs, so I have no idea what this man is talking about. I don’t think he does either,” said Minhaj Husain.
On Friday, CBS 58 asked Ament about the posts he reshared on his Facebook page, which was public at the time — posts community members say were Islamophobic and anti-Semitic.
““This is your Facebook page, right? Right here?” CBS 58’s Duaa Israr asked.
“Yeah, it's just for informational,” said Ament.
“What is informational about this?” Israr asked.
“It's stuff that I get. Also, people hear whatever side of the story. There's other ones that are the other way as well,” said Ament.
During Tuesday’s Common Council meeting, the New Berlin mayor issued an apology, leaving shortly after.
“I take full responsibility for sharing them. I unfortunately, did not take into account how these inappropriate posts could be insulting, offensive, and hurtful,” said Ament.
One by one, people of all faiths spoke out against the mayor’s posts, many stating they want better for New Berlin.
“Instead of portraying New Berlin as a welcoming community, we now have the reputation of being a racist, bigoted community,” said one community member.
During the meeting, the Common Council passed a resolution affirming the city’s commitment to religious freedom.
“I am very disappointed, actually disappointment is an understatement. Not only at his actions, but the fact that he is not in this room tonight to listen to all this,” said another resident.
Speakers at the meeting say it’s not enough.
“I call on him to resign,” said another resident.
Under the resolution, the Common Council could set forth a legal process similar to a trial to remove Ament from office.
Residents also have a right to a recall vote.