White councilman apologizes for saying ‘I can’t breathe’ at anti-mask rally in Arizona
An Arizona councilman has apologized for saying “I can’t breathe” — George Floyd’s last words — to protest wearing masks.
At a rally in Scottsdale on Wednesday, Councilman Guy Phillips pulled off his mask and said “I can’t breathe” after the crowd called for him to take it off, The Arizona Republic reported.
Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane announced that the city would require everyone to wear masks in public starting June 19 “except for individuals or small groups in parks or for outdoor exercise when physical distancing can be maintained.”
Phillips’ comments come after Floyd, an unarmed 46-year-old Black man, died while in police custody on May 25. Now-fired Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for about eight minutes, has been charged with murder. He remains jailed under a $1.25 million bond.
A 17-year-old bystander took video of the incident, in which Floyd can be heard saying, “Please, please, please, I can’t breathe.”
Three other officers in the case were also fired. They have been charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter.
Phillips has since apologized for his comment.
“It was a stupid and insensitive comment that I shouldn’t have made and I had no intention of disrespecting anybody while making that comment,” Phillips told 12 News.
In a text to The Arizona Republic, Phillips wrote about using Floyd’s last words: “I did not mean any disrespect and there was no connection.”
Hours later, he wrote: “I am sorry about a comment I made today that was the same comment Mr. Floyd had made. He didn’t deserve what happened to him and I by no means was trying to make light of it by saying I cant breathe in a mask. Please accept my sincerest apology and that goes out to anyone who became offended.”
Gov. Doug Ducey said in a tweet that Phillips’ remarks were “flat out wrong.”
“Despicable doesn’t go far enough,” the Republican wrote. “The final words of George Floyd should NEVER be invoked like this. Anyone who mocks the murder of a fellow human has no place in public office. Period.”
Lane also tweeted about the incident: “Councilman Phillips’ comments at his anti-mask protest rally today at City Hall do not represent the values of our Scottsdale community.”
“I share the profound disappointment expressed by many residents at the words Mr. Phillips chose to use the phrase ‘I can’t breathe’ during this moment in time was callous and insensitive. I sincerely hope he understands how wrong that was and offers a sincere apology.”
This story was originally published June 25, 2020 at 11:32 AM with the headline "White councilman apologizes for saying ‘I can’t breathe’ at anti-mask rally in Arizona."