PASADENA, Texas – There is new fallout, following a controversial comment made by Pasadena’s mayor during a council meeting.
KPRC2 first told you about the comment, and showed the heated exchange that followed, last week. Now, one group is considering action against the mayor and the city.
Just before a final vote last week at the Pasadena City Council meeting, an already heated city council meeting turned up a notch when Mayor Johnny Isbell said this to Hispanic council member Cody Ray Wheeler.
[Details: Pasadena mayor to councilman: 'Speak up, boy']
Now the Greater Houston Coalition for Justice is condemning the comment.
The group told KPRC2 it is considering a class-action, federal complaint of discrimination against the city of Pasadena and its mayor.
"To some it might not mean where it comes from," said Johnny Mata, with Greater Houston Coalition for Justice.
After the comment, the mayor apologized, but said there was nothing racist about his comment. The coalition said it could request a federal investigation into the city's use of federal money. It said the mayor's statement and previous actions are concerning.
“The mayor’s statement about the word 'boy' is definitely racist. His actions demonstrate racism in more ways than one,” Mata said.