Community leaders call out Houston Mayor John Whitmire for ‘offensive’ remarks about Gulfton neighborhood

HOUSTON – Community leaders are calling out Houston Mayor John Whitmire for his recent “offensive” remarks about the Gulfton area and demanding an apology, according to a news release.

More than 20 community leaders and organizations released a letter asking Mayor Whitmire to retract his “offensive remarks about the Gulfton neighborhood and apologize to its residents,” the statement said.

Over the weekend, Whitmire reportedly described Gulfton as a community largely made up of “undocumented” immigrants who are not interested in accessing amenities like the Galleria.

“These comments were widely condemned as xenophobic and out of touch with the reality of this vibrant and diverse community,” the statement said.

Gulfton is described as home to residents from Latin America, Africa, West Asia, South Asia and Southeast Asia, with more than 50 languages ​​spoken.

The coalition is calling on Mayor Whitmire to do the following:

• Retract his comments about Gulfton.

• Issue a public apology to Gulfton residents.

• Recognize the value and inherent rights of all Houstonians.

• Recognize the legitimacy of community advocates and city council members.

“Mayor Whitmire’s comments are an affront to all Houstonians who believe in an inclusive and equitable city,” said Daniel Cohen, president of Indivisible Houston. “We need leadership that embraces all communities, not leadership that demeans and marginalizes them. »

The mayor’s office responded to KPRC 2 regarding Whitmire’s comments and the open letter:

“My support for Gulfton as a senator and now as mayor is well established. I work in partnership with Harris County Commissioner Briones and other stakeholders.

“We are listening to residents and will make a positive difference in Gulfton. Metro has a plan for the neighborhood. She is designing a data-driven strategy to improve mobility, giving people better access to Baker Ripley and Legacy Clinic services.

READ THE FULL LETTER FROM COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS BELOW: