CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – Dozens of community members spoke on Tuesday night about how they felt after Champaign Councilman Davion Williams posted a swastika on Facebook last Friday. Williams, a representative for District 1, listened as residents, faith leaders, and fellow council members asked him to step down from the council. While Williams publicly apologized and acknowledged the harm he caused, he ultimately refused to step down from his position despite numerous calls to do so.
The council chambers were packed with concerned residents, many of whom took to the podium to express outrage, hurt, and disappointment. The post, which Williams described as an attempt to spark a conversation about the symbol’s historical significance, was widely condemned as offensive and tone-deaf. Williams read from a pre-written statement: “I realize now that my decision was not only insensitive but incredibly harmful,” Williams said in an emotional statement. “It was never my intention to cause pain, but I understand that intent doesn’t matter when harm is done. I am committed to learning from this and doing better.”
His remarks came after over an hour of impassioned public commentary, during which community members repeatedly demanded his resignation. Among the leaders asking for his resignation were Champaign County State’s Attorney Julia Rietz, Rabbi Alan Cook and Rabbi Jody Cook, Champaign-Urbana Jewish Federation President Ma’ayan Weinberg, Sinai Temple President Lil Levant, and Mick Woolf, with the Champaign-Urbana Tenant Union. The Jewish leaders expressed frustration Williams hadn’t reached out to – or met with – any of them, after they offered an “olive branch” to understand his thought process. Several additional speakers pointed to past controversial remarks Williams had made during a previous council meeting, including comments perceived as promoting harmful stereotypes about Jewish influence in media, food, and other industries. Rietz address his lack of interaction with the Jewish community: “I have met with, and worked with, every member of this council – except you, councilman Williams. We invited you to reach out and talk to us, but you never did.”
Williams had issued a formal apology earlier in the day through the City of Champaign, but many speakers dismissed it as “insufficient” or “insincere.”
After community remarks concluded, the first councilwoman who spoke was Evangeline Pianfetti, from District 5. She called for his resignation. Councilwoman Kathy Shannon spoke next about how the Council has important work to do, and this is a hurtful distraction. She also called for him to step down. Each of the council members spoke, and expressed their displeasure, disgust, and hurt at councilman Williams’ words. Both Shannon, and later, Mayor Deb Frank Feinen, pointed out that Williams is running unopposed, and he will be seated for four more years after spring election.
Despite the community and internal pressure to resign, Williams said he was staying put, and he wanted to “learn from this and do better.” He said he was receiving guidance, and “I know it will take time, but I’m willing to be patient and do the work.”
Mayor Feinen addressed the issue of removing Williams from the council, but there is no legal mechanism to do so. She ultimately left it up to him.