Council Member Carlos Menchaca & Others Join Jumaane Williams’ Pledge Sit-Out

After City Council Member Jumaane Williams, District 45, remained seated during the Council’s Pledge of Allegiance earlier this month to protest racial injustice, seven other members followed suit yesterday, including Carlos Menchaca of District 38.

Brooklyn Council Members Brad Lander, Antonio Reynoso, Rafael Espinal, and Inez Barron also participated in the protest, joined by Bronx Council Member Andy King and Queens Council Member Ruben Wills.

Councilmember Menchaca was not available for comment today, but his office confirmed that he did take part in the protest.

Councilmember Lander called his stance an act of solidarity and patriotism, joining the protest after reading the brazenly racist and threatening hate mail Williams received following his action. Some particularly hateful comments referred to Williams as a “F—— plantation monkey.”

“Today, my allegiance to the flag, and to the republic for which it stands, compels me to remain seated,” Lander wrote in a statement released yesterday. “I take that oath very seriously and work hard every day to serve my constituents, and to uphold our country’s ideals, values and laws.”

Lander has a history of working with Williams on racial justice issues, including the Right To Know Act, a law that would require police to identify themselves to the public (the act is currently on-hold in the Council); the Community Safety Act, which combats racial profiling; and a recent town hall meeting to discuss racism with constituents.

“I believe it is important for white people to see, name, and take responsibility for our privilege, and to find ways to act in solidarity with people of color working for justice,” said Lander, responding to what he calls a moment where citizens of color are too often killed by police officers, and mired in systemic racism regarding housing, education, and criminal justice.

“The Pledge of Allegiance and saluting the flag during the national anthem are about an affirmation of our democracy that is still evolving, that needs to get better, that needs to be truer to who we are and what we’re supposed to be,” said Mayor de Blasio, reports the New York Daily News. “I also respect others who have made a different choice, and that is an American value that people get to make that choice.”

Sarah Crean contributed reporting.