New Berlin Mayor Dave Ament don make im personal Facebook page private after plenty people begin complain about posts wey im dey share, wey dey attack Islam and Muslims. Dem say the posts dey spread hate and false info.
The mayor, wey dey serve im fourth term, no don resign as of August 24. Although plenty faith leaders and community groups don call for am to step down. For im statement, Ament say im go “take some time to reflect, and step back from social media at this time.”
The New Berlin Common Council get meeting wey go hold August 25, and dem put for agenda “discussion and possible action on a statement regarding Mayor Ament’s recent personal social media posts.” None of the seven council members reply to request for comment from Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Many of the posts wey Ament share na videos wey show young women wey wear revealing clothes, with anti-Muslim text for screen. One post read: “America needs to shut down all Mosques and ban Islam. Bet you won’t repost this.” Another one talk say if you vote Muslim for elected office, you be traitor.
The Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee condemn the posts, saying “These hateful messages are counter to a democratic society and create fear for members of the targeted community.” Dem also criticise Ament im response, say im claim say im just dey share information no hold water.
CAIR, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, join the call for resignation. Dem talk say elected official get responsibility to serve everybody, no matter faith or background.
New Berlin residents wey be Muslim also speak up. Ahmed Quereshi, 16-year resident, say im don vote for this mayor before, but now im shock. Minhaj Husain, M.D., say im don live there 13 years, and im believe about 50 Muslim families dey New Berlin. Dem all dey wonder why mayor get such views.
According to Pew Research Center, one of the posts wey Ament share claim say Muslims dey take over Europe, but the true tori be say Muslim population for Europe na about 45 million for 2020, no be 50 million as the post talk. The post use old numbers.
As of press time, Ament no don resign. The council meeting go hold tonight, and residents plan to attend and call for im resignation.
