Roanoke mayor apologizes for suggesting internment for Syrian refugees

While Bowers confirmed that his position remained the same on halting the Syrian refugee resettlement program, he made a point to address the Japanese American community at the meeting: “In particular, I apologize to Americans of Japanese descent for the unwise and inappropriate comparison between the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II and the current refugee crisis”.

The mayor of a small southwestern Virginia city apologized on Friday for suggesting that Syrian refugees should be treated like the Japanese-Americans who were sent to interment camps during World War II.

Nevertheless, Bowers maintained in that he wouldn’t be resigning despite calls for him to stand down as Roanoke’s mayor. “My statement was meant to be respectful, measured and moderate in tone and substance”.

He said he didn’t intend his statement to trend internationally nor did he intend his statement to be racist or bigoted. He then cited the internments during WWII, saying “it appears that the threat of harm to America from ISIS now is just as real and serious as that from our enemies then”. Members of the council called for his apology and his resignation if such an apology was not forthcoming.

“Comparing the prudent step of pausing to evaluate a vetting processes to the unconstitutional internment of American citizens proves that Democrats simply don’t understand national security”, John Whitbeck, the chairman of the Virginia Republican Party, said in a statement. According to the Roanoke Times, he says he was trying to express concerns about the safety of Americans.

Two dozen members of the public later spoke at the meeting. “Action is taking responsibility”. Islamic State militants have claimed responsibility for both attacks.

President Obama’s plan to bring 10,000 more Syrian refugees to the United States during the current budget year has drawn criticism from a number of states.