Protesters call for Petal Mayor Hal Marx to resign

PETAL, Miss. (WDAM) - A crowd of over 100 people gathered at Petal City Hall to protest comments Mayor Hal Marx made on social media in reference to the death of George Floyd.

Many who spoke during the three-hour peaceful protest directly called for Marx to resign.

WARNING: The raw video from the protest contains some graphic language.

Marx has been criticized for comments he made on social media regarding video of Floyd’s arrest that has circulated online and caused outrage, protests and an FBI investigation.

The video shows Floyd, a black man, yelling “I can’t breathe” repeatedly while a white Minneapolis police officer pinned him down with a knee on Floyd’s neck for several minutes.

Floyd died while in police custody in Minneapolis, Minn.

The officer who knelt on Floyd’s neck, Derek Chauvin, was arrested Friday.

The Petal Board of Aldermen asked Marx to resign during a special called meeting Thursday night. Marx refused.

WARNING: The raw video from the meeting contains some graphic language.

The board unanimously approved a resolution to censure Marx over his comments and tabled motions to reduce his salary and adopt a social media policy.

The protest at Petal City Hall will continue Saturday at noon.

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