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In Letter To Constituents, LaWana Mayfield Says She Won't Resign

Charlotte City Councilor LaWana Mayfield pushed a Sept. 11 conspiracy theory on her Facebook page.
WFAE
Charlotte City Councilor LaWana Mayfield pushed a Sept. 11 conspiracy theory on her Facebook page.

Charlotte City Council Member LaWana Mayfield isn’t taking down her Facebook post thatsuggested 9/11 was a conspiracy and she is refusing calls to resign after the post sparked controversy.

In an email last night to her constituents, Mayfield said she saw instant disenfranchisement and even some racial overtones in the responses to her post. She also acknowledged the loss of life.

Mayfield said, “nowhere in this statement did I speak to the many lives LOST, nor did I speak to the many who still have health issues today from this catastrophic event.

“I want to be abundantly clear,” Mayfield continued, “I am in no way invalidating the impacts felt by many from 9/11 that caused the deaths of more than 3,000 people. I mourn, as an American, and wholly believe that were it not for the brave and heroic efforts of many, more lives would have been lost.”

Mayfield attributed her decision not to delete the post to a right to free speech.

“I respect your right to your thoughts, answers, and disgust in the course of this post,” Mayfield said. “I did not delete it for that reason.”

Mayfield also strongly suggested that people of color are not able to have and share their opinions.

“It seems far too often that We as African Americans or Black people are not to have an opinion and with that in mind, my sharing of the post was me sharing multiple questions I still (while wearing my conspiracy theory hat which many of us wear but I am acknowledging) have,” Mayfield said.

She also said that her position in office would not stop her from sharing her personal opinions.

“I committed to YOU that I would be transparent, not lie to you and to address concerns in our community to the best of my ability,” Mayfield said. “I did NOT say I would stop having my own opinions or stop being BLACK.”

Mayfield’s original post read, “I am still waiting for someone to produce pieces of the alleged plane that opened the doors for US citizens to lose all privacy rights.” She added that the post was “from the conspiracy theorist in me” and linked to an article that argued the collapse of the twin towers was what it called “a controlled demolition.”

The post received comments from around the country, many condemning the post, some defending it. A Change.org petition has more than 850 signatures calling for her resignation.