Ada Committee Member's Racial Comments Stir Protest

Havonnah Johnson, News 9

ADA, Oklahoma -- The Ada Beautification Committee has been disbanded because instead of worrying about foliage and what color flowers to plant in the city of Ada, the committee chairperson was more concerned with the color of peoples' skin.

During the meeting, Dexter Pruitt said there were too many minorities moving into Ada.

"We don't want to be that mean, but if we don't get on top of our town, we've got too many n-----s and Mexicans moving in."

The comments from Pruitt have people in town seeing red.

"I'm disappointed, but people have a right to feel the way they want to feel or think the way they want to feel," said Charles Miller of the African-American Committee of Ada. "It's only when you go on the public record and make a statement like that, it concerns me."

Miller plans to address the council at a meeting on Monday, July 18, at 5:45 p.m.

Pruitt, the mayor, and city council members were not available for comment.