Hal Marx, the mayor of Petal, Mississippi is going through backlash as a consequence of feedback he made relating to the loss of life of George Floyd. Floyd’s loss of life is at present being investigated, following video footage launched of a police officer kneeling on Floyd’s neck whereas Floyd mentioned “I can’t breathe.”
Hattiesburg American stories that Marx wrote on Fb “In case you are speaking concerning the incident in MN, I didn’t see something unreasonable. In case you can say you’ll be able to’t breathe, you’re respiration. Almost certainly that man died of overdose or coronary heart assault. Video doesn’t present his resistance that received him in that place. Police being crucified.” The message was additionally shared on Twitter, however has since been deleted. On the time this text was printed, Hal Marx’s Twitter account had been deactivated solely.
Right here’s what you should learn about Hal Marx:
1. The Petal Aldermen Referred to as for Marx’s Resignation Following His Feedback, however He Declined
I am unable to stress how huge of a deal it’s that SIX WHITE MALE ALDERMEN (the entire board) in a historic white flight city in Mississippi simply known as for his or her mayor to resign over racist feedback about George Floyd.
However that is what occurred to Petal Mayor Hal Marx simply now. https://t.co/6v7z5J5RTj pic.twitter.com/QYbHfErgu9
— Ashton Pittman (@ashtonpittman) Might 29, 2020
Following Marx’s feedback about George Floyd’s loss of life, the Petal Board of Aldermen met Thursday night time to debate what Marx had mentioned. In a press release, signed by all 6 members of the board, they mentioned “The feedback made on Mayor Hal Marx’s private Fb web page should not consultant of all of our metropolis leaders. We perceive the frustrations his statements have triggered. … We attempt to like everybody and take care of individuals from all walks of life and backgrounds right here within the Pleasant Metropolis.” Of their assertion, additionally they mentioned that Marx “is out of contact with the residents and unfit to proceed in his capability as mayor.”
Based on WLOX, the aldermen known as for Marx’s resignation, however Marx declined the request and mentioned that he would serve by his time period as mayor, which ends on July 1, 2021.
Throughout their assembly, the aldermen moreover tabled a movement to cut back Marx’s wage and undertake a brand new social media coverage for the place.
2. Marx Is a Former Journalist & Excessive College Historical past Trainer
Earlier than he was elected mayor of Petal, Mississippi in 2009, the Metropolis of Petal’s web site signifies that Marx was a journalist for six years, writing for a every day newspaper based mostly out of Laurel. For two of these 6 years, he labored because the paper’s managing editor.
He additionally had 11 years of expertise as a social research instructor for Petal, Mississippi’s highschool, educating from 1998 till 2009. He taught superior placement American Authorities and Economics programs.
3. Marx Grew Up & Attended Faculty in Mississippi
That is Hal Marx, the present mayor of Petal #Mississippi, saying that he sees nothing “unreasonable” concerning the homicide of #GeorgeFloyd by cops.
Hal Marx is a part of the issue.
How can anybody in public service proceed to carry workplace after remarks like these? pic.twitter.com/L9UCykiu5P
— MS Rising Coalition (@MississippiRise) Might 27, 2020
Hal Marx’s bio on the Metropolis of Petal’s web site reveals that he graduated from the College of Southern Mississippi in 1991, with a bachelor’s diploma in political science and minor in historical past. He acquired his Grasp of Training in 2002, at William Carey College, a non-public Christian school in Mississippi.
Marx’s dad and mom, Harold and Barbara, are from Petal, the place Marx at present works and resides along with his spouse and three sons.
4. Marx Tweeted in Assist of ‘#BackTheBlue’ Following George Floyd’s Dying
A Mississippi mayor is beneath fireplace after tweeting he “didn’t see something unreasonable” within the video of George Floyd’s arrest, saying “should you can speak, you’ll be able to breathe.” https://t.co/I8Wywo6nJw
— NBC Information (@NBCNews) Might 28, 2020
Based on WLOX, earlier than Marx instantly addressed Floyd’s loss of life on social media, he first tweeted “Why on this planet would anybody select to grow to be a #Police Officer in our society? #backtheblue #ThinBlueLine.”
46-year-old Floyd was a popular safety guard at a Minnesota bar, lovingly nicknamed “Huge Floyd.” Video of his violent arrest sparked swift anger throughout social media and on-line because it circulated, and all Four cops concerned had been fired.
On Might 27, President Donald Trump introduced that he had the FBI investigating Floyd’s loss of life. In a tweet, he wrote “At my request, the FBI and the Division of Justice are already nicely into an investigation as to the very unhappy and tragic loss of life in Minnesota of George Floyd… I’ve requested for this investigation to be expedited and enormously recognize the entire work finished by native regulation enforcement. My coronary heart goes out to George’s household and mates. Justice can be served!”
5. Marx Deliberate to Run for Governor of Mississippi in 2019 however Backed Out Resulting from His Spouse’s Most cancers Prognosis
That is the response of Petal, MS Mayor Hal Marx to the lynching of George Floyd—giving the inexperienced gentle for police to kill black males/boys. @CNN @shaunking @donlemon pic.twitter.com/uoDXXClN14
— Kathryn Rehner-Sullivan (@rehnerkj) Might 27, 2020
In 2018, when Marx introduced his plans to run for governor, Hattiesburg American reported that Marx mentioned “I feel the governor’s workplace is de facto the place I have to be so far as having the ability to accomplish what I wish to see achieved for the state. I feel my expertise as an government with the town lends itself to the governor’s workplace as chief government of the state.”
In January 2019, WLBT reported that Marx introduced in a tweet that he was dropping out of the race for governor as a consequence of his spouse Mindy’s most cancers prognosis. Within the tweet, he wrote “As a few of chances are you’ll know, my pretty spouse Mindy was just lately recognized with most cancers. After a lot prayer we’ve got determined to finish my marketing campaign for governor. I ask that you simply all pray for Mindy and our household as she continues therapy. Thanks for all your assist.”
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