Everett City Councilor Under Fire After Sharing Racist Meme

EVERETT, MA — Some Everett residents are calling on the resignation of City Councilor Anthony DiPierro after he apologized for sharing a racist meme last week.

DiPierro, the Ward 3 city councilor issued an apology through the Everett Advocate last week, explaining that he made a "poor decision" for sharing a meme and two others that contained the n-word.

"The casual use of the word in culture and society can de-sensitize its meaning and intention and I recognize what I did was wrong," DiPierro said in his apology.

DiPierro was criticized during a town meeting Monday, with some residents calling for him to step down from office.

"Councilor, you are not 10," the Boston Globe reported Everett resident Janice Lark, who is Black saying. "You know the impact of using the n-word." Guerline Alcy Jabouin, also a Black resident of Everett, said DiPierro should resign his seat, the Globe reported.

On the same page of the Everett Advocate, just above DiPierro's apology, Mayor Carlo DeMaria wrote an op-ed explaining the "Everett community stands against discriminatory behavior in all forms," calling out DiPierro for sharing a meme that contained the "vile and derogatory" word.

A spokesperson from the Mayor's office said the human resources department was investigating the issue, but could not comment further.

Patch reached out to DiPierro who did not immediately respond for comment.

DeMaria concluded his opinion piece by saying the city would continue to investigate claims of racist posts online by city council members. "Moving forward, may we all choose words and actions that build us stronger and better together."