The mayor of Richmond, Calif., is under fire for her decision to skip a Veterans Day memorial to attend an Occupy Rally.
Mayor Gayle McLaughlin sent an email to the San Jose Mercury News explaining why she would not be attending a Veterans Day salute that included a re-enactment of the launch of a World War II-era ship at the Richmond shipyards.
“I choose to honor our veterans, not only on Veteran’s Day, but daily, but supporting an end to military warfare to prevent further fighting and dying in needless wars,” she wrote. “I am a strong supporter of Veterans for Peace and Iraq Vets Against the War.”
The mayor said that since the city is not sponsoring the Veterans Day salute, she chose to attend an Occupy rally – an event that she has been actively promoting.
“I think it’s disgraceful,” said Jeff Rubin, who organizes Pinole’s Veterans Day memorial. ““This is not a war issue. This is an issue of honoring people who sign up to protect your rights.”
Rubin told Fox News the mayor has ties to the Richmond Progressive Alliance and has a history of creating controversy in the city.
“It’s disrespectful,” he said. “Just because you’re in politics doesn’t mean everything is political. There are some things that transcend politics and this is one of them. Regardless of your feelings about America’s involvement in Iraq or Afghanistan, you have to respect the troops.”
Rubin sent the mayor an email urging her to reconsider.
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