Stephen Lecce apologizes for participating in fraternity ‘slave auction’ while in college


Stephen Lecce, one of Progressive Conservative leader Doug Ford’s highest-profile candidates, is apologizing after a report emerged of his involvement in a fraternity “slave auction” when he was in college.

Lecce, who served as education minister in the most recent provincial parliament, issued a two-line apology Tuesday night after the news website published a report. Press Progresswhich was founded and is partially funded by the left-leaning Broadbent Institute, in connection with a 2006 Sigma Chi event at Western University called a “slave auction”.

In his apology, Lecce, who was a member of the fraternity’s chapter at the time, did not deny his involvement in the event.

“The 2006 event was inappropriate and in no way reflects who I am as a person, for which I apologize unreservedly,” Lecce said.

“I will continue to passionately advance the interests of all Ontarians, regardless of faith, heritage, orientation or race.”

In a web-archived version of what appeared on Sigma Chi’s website at the time, obtained by CTV News Toronto, Lecce wrote a statement congratulating the incoming members.

“Our brother alumni, ranging from academics, corporate executives, philanthropists, politicians, and community leaders, continue to live the values ​​they learned through Sigma Chi many years ago,” Lecce wrote.

To the right of his message was the fraternity’s “Chapter News,” listing events including the 2006 “slave auction.”

Lecce

Lecce’s apology comes as he seeks re-election over King-Vaughan in the Ontario provincial election.

When Ontario Liberal Leader Stephen Del Duca was asked about Lecce’s apology on the campaign trail Wednesday, he said he could not comment given his privileged position.

“I understand you apologized, but I think it’s better to leave Ontarians of color, vulnerable Ontarians, who are in a position of having to deal with this type of behavior far too often, to be in a position to respond to whether or apology is not good enough,” Del Duca said.

Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath called Lecce’s participation in the auction “very painful” and “hurtful” to members of the black community.

“I have to say that our former Black Caucus members, the founders of our Black Caucus, put out a statement last night and I support it 100 percent,” Horwath said Wednesday.

In it joint declarationseveral Ontario NDP candidates in Toronto called for Lecce to withdraw from running for office, calling his actions “repulsive” and “clear anti-black racism”.

“Under no circumstances should the people of this province, or even more alarmingly, our children, be represented by him at this time,” Toronto-St. Paul’s candidate, Dr. Jill Andrew, said in the statement with NDP candidates Faisal Hassan and Dr. Laura Mae Lindo.

“Doug Ford and the PC party must get him out. We also call on Doug Ford, as the leader of the PC party, to clearly and unequivocally condemn Mr. Lecce’s actions.”




Reference-www.cp24.com

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