Bayou Protest Over Alleged Racist Statement

A city council work session in Bayou La Batre turned noisy Monday night amid allegations that a city employee made racist statements against Vietnamese.
About sixty people marched into Bayou La Batre City Hall where Mayor Stan Wright and the city council were meeting.
The protestors were upset because was they say City Inspector Tommy Reynoso made racist statements during a tour of Bayou La Batre and Coden.
One of the protestors, Zack Carter, talked about what he heard.
Carter said, "We passed a home with some Asians were out front, and they were very friendly and waving, and you can tell that their house was severely damaged. The remark that he made, he said, 'See, they're happy, they're used to living like this. This is how they lived in Vietnam.' "
Some members of the group wanted an apology.
Others wanted Reynoso to resign and they addressed Mayor Stan Wright.
But Wright questioned the timing of the protest.
Wright said, "This (Reynoso's statement) was supposed to have happened in 2006. They come up here two weeks before the election, I think most of it is politically motivated. It's the definition of dirty politics but if this gentleman that made this allegation will come bring me a signed document, then I will definitely have it investigated and I will deal with it accordingly."
Reynoso was not available for comment Monday night.
He's on military leave and not expected back until Wednesday.
The Bayou La Batre City Council will hold its regular meeting Thursday night.