Luther City Councilor Uses Racial Slur; Some Demand Resignation

Several residents in Luther said they are outraged a white city councilor used a racial slur to describe three black city leaders.

Wednesday, October 9th 2013, 10:07 pm

By: News 9


Several residents in Luther said they are outraged a white city councilor used a racial slur to describe three black city leaders.

Gregg Atkinson admitted to using the "N" word to describe the mayor, police chief and another city employee, but he refused to resign at a meeting Tuesday night.

Atkinson was elected to the Luther Board of Trustees in April for a four-year term, but the NAACP wants him out of office now.

"There are blacks, whites, Native Americans, Asians all within our community of Luther and he cannot serve with that type of ideals," said Ronald Henry, President of the Luther chapter of the NAACP.

Henry voted for Atkinson and was one of several people at Tuesday night's town meeting, calling for Atkinson's resignation after Atkinson apologized. Atkinson dropped the racial slurs at the town cafe and told News 9 on Wednesday he regretted it.

"It happened in a moment of frustration," Atkinson explained.

Atkinson said he is now considering the possibility of resigning, but was not going to do it at the town hall meeting.

"I did what I thought was right by getting up at the board meeting last night on my own and apologizing, and at this point, I'm just wanting to move forward," Atkinson explained, adding that he wants a second chance.

"For the magnitude of what he said, no that's not enough," Henry said.

The Luther NAACP says it's considering a lawsuit. Mayor Cecilia Taft and Police Chief Marcus Thurman spoke with News 9 off camera and both said Atkinson's words were "unethical and uncalled for from a board member."

News 9 was not able to reach the other employee Atkinson referenced, John Wilson.

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