Las Vegas -- a world-renowned city with a large Black and Brown community -- does not need a racist as its Mayor Pro Tem.

At a time when the hurt of Black people is underscored through the regular production of lethal and systemic injustice, at a time when millions of people around the globe are coming up in arms together against a timeless anti-blackness, at a time when Black activists and organizers are on the front lines to make it heard that Black Lives Matter -- not that Black Lives Matter Only, but that Black Lives Matter, Too -- Councilwoman Michelle Fiore of the City Of Las Vegas has stated instead that "white lives matter", and that as a white woman, she "should not lose [her] job because of their black asses."

In the absence of the actual Mayor, it is Fiore who steps up as the leader of our city. These comments, made only last week amidst public demonstrations for direct action against institutional racism and police brutality, are indicative of Fiore's character and illustrate she is unfit for office here. She has previously made mention of their being an "LGBT agenda" within the Black Lives Matter movement, making a characterization that not only questions the merit of both human rights movements, but that negates the lives of Black and queer people, of which there are many in Las Vegas and across the world.

Fiore has demonstrated her willingness to alienate a large portion of her community. It is clear the scope of her efforts as a public servant are reserved only for a certain subsection of her constituency, and that she is not materially attuned to the injustices faced by those that do not look or sound like her. She may say she cares, but it's clear through her words where she lies on the subject of Black lives.

Councilwoman Fiore must know that she is not above reproach; she must know that her words matter and that as an official in one of America's largest metropolitan areas, racist language will be met with condemnation from the community. Additionally, her removal will be sought. 

Las Vegas deserves public servants that will listen and serve them, especially at such a high level of municipal leadership. Michelle Fiore has made it clear that she does not represent Las Vegans, and so we are calling on the Council Member's removal from office.