Update: 2:55 p.m.
The city of Southfield has released this statement in response to the racist flyers that were distributed around town this weekend:
The City of Southfield is proud to be a diverse community that is inclusive of all people. Southfield elected officials, staff and residents of numerous ethnic and religious backgrounds work effectively together every day to maintain the high quality of life that we have all come to expect and appreciate. No Southfield elected officials or staff condone this type of negative, deconstructive and harmful propaganda that is both unfounded and untrue.
“Our community is strong, inclusive and celebrates diversity,” commented Mayor Donald Fracassi. “We as a community are appalled that this type of reprehensible material has been distributed. We stand together unified as Southfielders against racism of any kind. This type of material does not represent Southfield or the views of our residents who live peacefully together in harmony from virtually all walks of life.”
“For the past 50 years, the city of Southfield has been an exemplary example of diversity and cultural inclusiveness,” added Council President Sylvia Jordan. “Southfield is a wonderful melting pot of families from all cultures who are seeking a great place to call home. It is personally heartbreaking to me to see that someone thinks so little of our community, and our progress, that they would take it upon themselves to attempt to create this false divide.”
Originally posted: 12:05 p.m.
An overtly racist political flyer reading "Let's get the blacks out of Southfield in November" and "Let's take back our city" was apparently distributed in mailboxes throughout the region over the weekend, Fox2 reports.
On the front, it features the names and faces of five white public officials including John Fitzgerald, Kenson Siver, Donald Fracassi, Nick Loussia, and Sidney Lantz. On the back it bears a photo of Trayvon Martin and the text "Zimmerman was right. We will stop thugs like this."
Apparently.. these were flyers left in lawns in Southfield this weekend. pic.twitter.com/J4Ctlu3B3w
— O (@BlameOtis) August 23, 2015Fox2 got in touch with mayoral hopeful Kenson Siver who said the literature was not endorsed or published by any of the candidates.
Kenson says no one on flyer supports the message of hate. In fact he said they are saddened and insulted by the flyer and goes against the diversity that makes the city of Southfield great. He adds it's likely an unfortunate product of dirty politics.
MLive reports that the U.S. Census pegged Southfield to be about 70 percent black as of 2014.
