Mayo welcomes 'hate group' leader 'home', invites back

This story will updated as more information becomes available.

Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo on Friday called the city another home for Louis Farrakhan, leader of the Nation of Islam, and presented the man a key to the city.

Farrakhan met with some community leaders at Monroe Regional Airport. He was in town for his granddaughter's graduation at Grambling State University.

Rod Washington, spokesman for the city of Monroe, said Mayo "is keenly aware of the multi-faceted viewpoints that many people hold in relation to Minister Farrakhan. However, his brief stay in Monroe was positive."

Farrakhan, 84, has lead National of Islam since 1977. The Southern Poverty Law Center classifies Nation of Islam as a black separatist hate group because of its open hostility to Jews, Catholics, LGBT people and whites. The group has a separate theology from mainstream Islam and advocates that black people are innately superior to whites.

From the local NOI chapter: Muhammad: Farrakhan is an example of 'love personified'

The local Nation of Islam Study Group is active within the community.

Washington said presenting a key to the city is "a symbolic gesture given to celebrities, prominent figures, centennials and more."

In January, Nation of Islam Study Group Leader Nuri Muhammad spoke at the City of Monroe's 38th annual birthday salute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Washington said his speech was positive and inspirational, and Mayo provided Nuri Muhammad with a key to the city. Muhammad later gave that key to Farrakhan.

"In the 16 years that I've been mayor, no other person has received two keys — a key for the front and a key for the back," Mayo told Farrakhan to the crowd's laughter. He also presented a pen to the NOI leader and thanked him for all the work he's done in his past 80 years on the earth.

More: Hear Farrakhan warn Monroe's city leaders

Mayo's quote is from an audiotape by another media outlet.

Washington said no list of key recipients exists and he doesn't know if other individuals have directly or indirectly received more than one key.

"However, over the past 16 years, the city has issued proclamations to dignitaries, elected officials, business leaders, faith-based representatives, students, teams, individuals and organizations who were chosen or had requested them — even the Sons of the Confederacy," Washington said.

Washington said an article in The Monroe Free Press referring to the meeting "purposely uses inflammatory phrases aimed at stoking racial tension." A focus of the story is on Farrakhan referring to white people as "evil" and bent on separating the black community.

"Minister Farrakhan’s tone and attitude was positive throughout his brief meet and greet session. However, to put things in proper context, Farrakhan referred to how some people like to only focus on controversial statements that he has or has allegedly made; and, briefly gave some examples" Washington said.

"Mr. (Roosevelt) Wright’s article appears to be an example of such. Minister Farrakhan’s remarks focused on how black leaders must show pride, integrity and unity. He also mentioned that such leaders are not just for the 'black community' but they are elected or appointed leaders for the entire city, and should take their responsibilities seriously."

More: Pastor to GSU grads: 'Get yours, give back'

Wright owns The Monroe Free Press but was not at the event. Wright's sons regularly contribute to the publication, but the story and photo published have no visible credit line

In a statement issued Thursday morning to The News-Star and Washington, Wright said his son, Kita, was at the event with an audio recorder and took photos.

"I'm sure you know by now that I would not allow the article referenced to be published without documentation because the mayor's office would surely deny it and turn on the spin machine," Wright said.

Wright said he stands behind the story and that everything presented was factual and in context.

"Anticipating that the city would deny the accuracy of the report, the entire, unedited, 30-minute audio of the airport session is included with the story along with 18 photos," Wright said.

In an interview with another media outlet, City Councilwoman Juanita Woods said she was not aware of Farrakhan’s previously incendiary statements and that he talked about love and togetherness at the airport.

“I've got so much admiration for this man, he spoke so eloquently about us all coming together and it was just a time of coming together and it was just a beautiful time just listening to the minister,” said Woods.

According to the Southern Poverty Law Center Hate Map, there are four Nation of Islam groups in Louisiana. They're in Monroe, Shreveport, Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

In information about black separatist groups, the Southern Poverty Law Center notes: "Although the Southern Poverty Law Center recognizes that much black racism in America is, at least in part, a response to centuries of white racism, it believes racism must be exposed in all its forms. White groups espousing beliefs similar to black separatists would be considered clearly racist. The same criterion should be applied to all groups regardless of their color."

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