A small Georgia city is rescinding a proclamation for Confederate History Month after a proponent and former commissioner used the "n-word" three times during the city meeting where it was approved.
After a lengthy apology to residents, the chairman of the Griffin City Commission announced the rescinding of the proclamation during a crowded city meeting on Tuesday. Several in the crowd applauded the move.
He then read aloud the motion with an addendum pointing to the city's pride in its diversity.
"The board of commissioners further declares that the minutes of the proceedings of the board of April 10, 2018, reflect such rescission ... with the intent for all citizens, businesses, and visitors to the city of Griffin display a welcome approach that is inclusive of all while recognizing that our diversity enhances our quality of life within the city and beyond," he stated.
Those words come after the proclamation was signed on March 27 - the same night former board member Larry Johnson took to the podium and used the word "n-town" three times while addressing a black commissioner.
"I told you at that time that there were white folks and there were black folks when I was growing up," Larry Johnson said while addressing District 6 Commissioner Rodney Mccord. "There was white trash, my family, and there was n*****town and I lived next to n*****town."
In the official recording of the meeting, Mccord can be heard asking "you grew up next to what town?"
"N*****town, son, I'm telling you," Johnson responded. "Now, I've changed. I'm no longer called white trash and they're no longer called that."
Johnson's original reason for coming to the podium was to speak in favor of the Confederate History proclamation but, in the days that followed, his points were quickly drowned out by national outrage over his language.
However, he wasn't the only one who faced public scorn for the night's events. Chairman Douglas Hollberg also took fire after a meeting recording posted online showed his repeated attempts to prevent Mccord from responding to the words.
That action led to calls from around the country - some as far away as New York City. Many of them, Hollberg said he answered. He said that conversations - some starting with angry - often turned to prayer.
On Tuesday night, he apologized and also explained what was going through his mind at the meeting that earned the city dubious national attention.
"I just first want to apologize to the citizens of Griffin for anything that I may have done to hurt any of you," he said. "At no time do I ever have any intentions of hurting folks. I'm sorry that there is that possible perception that I didn't respond harshly enough to the gentleman's derogatory comments."
Again the room applauded as Hollberg went on to explain that he was in shock as the moment transpired.
"I was actually, at the time, looking for scripture trying to figure out how to bring us together that night and I'm sorry I did not respond," he said.
Hollberg also went on to apologize to fellow leaders in the city - Commissioner Mccord in particular.
"Rodney is my friend, he's been my friend forever since he first came into office - we met in the early 90s and such an honor to be with him," he said.
