Chamber President Martin Manna said the activists postponed the rally at the request of the chamber while it meets this week with Alexander, Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich, D-Flint, as facilitator; and Sens. Jim Runestad, R-White Lake and Michael MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, who represent large Chaldean constituencies and asked to be a part of the conversation.
“Our goal is to provide education and cultural competency awareness to Lemmons and issue a joint statement,” Manna said.
“We have agreed to have face-to-face dialogue in an effort to resolve the issue and highlight the contributions these minority communities make to the region. Our demands for his resignation stand. His actions led to racist comments from Detroit City Charter Commissioner Joanna Underwood. Underwood is inciting violence and hatred against Middle Eastern business owners, referring to them as rapists and terrorists. We will be seeking an ethnic intimidation charge against Ms. Underwood.”
