In an open letter, Mayor Randall Woodfin expressed his disappointment in comments made by Arnold, Pennsylvania Mayor Karen Peconi for suggesting protestors be sprayed with high-pressure hoses, the same way civil rights marchers were sprayed in the streets of Birmingham in 1963.

Peconi made the suggestion on Facebook when she shared a video of protestors being sprayed with hoses and an image taken during the civil rights demonstrations in Birmingham in 1963. She commented, saying "we need one of these for tomorrow."

"I'm posting this so the authorities every where [sic] see this... I agree with Tom.. bring the hoses."

She continued in another comment, saying "They don't care about jobs for Pgh.. [sic] none of them work now. That's how they can do this at 7am.... [sic] Very sad."

She posted the images and comments in reaction to a series of demonstrations in the Pittsburgh area after 17-year-old Antwon Rose Jr., a black teen, was shot and killed by a police officer during a traffic stop in the city of East Pittsburgh.

The officer who fired the fatal shots will be prosecuted for his actions.

In Woodfin's letter, posted on Medium.com, he recounts the May 1963 events in Birmingham, where black youth were attacked with firehoses as they marched through downtown.

"As I have noted, this seems to have been a deliberate misrepresentation on your part of the purpose of the 1963 demonstrations in Birmingham. Those demonstrations -- and the oppressive manner in which our city government of the time chose to respond to them -- raised the consciousness of Americans to the injustices being protested. They brought about the end of segregation in Birmingham and played a large role in paving the way for the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965."

Woodfin continues, calling Birmingham a city that takes pride in it's role in advancing the Civil Rights movement and a city focused on the future.

"All of which makes your recent actions a cause for disappointment and concern. I am, of course, aware that the officer responsible for the death of Antwon Rose is being prosecuted, and I pray that justice will be served by the outcome of that case. I also am aware of calls for you to resign your position as mayor of Arnold, of your refusal to do so and of actions your city council is taking pursuant to having you removed from office," Woodfin said.

He declined to comment on efforts to have Peconi removed from office and acknowledged her apology to the city.

"I love this community, I would do anything for the people here. I don't take my position as Mayor lightly and deeply regret the comments I made on Facebook. It was never my intention to offend anyone, and for those who I offended I am sincerely sorry," Peconi wrote in an apology, Pittsburg news station WTAE reported.

Woodfin did, however, urge her to reflect on the choice she made to post those comments and images on Facebook.

"With that in mind, I am asking that you take the time to understand and reflect on why your use of an image of sacrifice and heroism that took place in Birmingham more than a generation ago was a disservice to those who demonstrated in Birmingham then, to those who demonstrate in the Pittsburgh area now and to the spirit and principles that represent America at its finest," Woodfin said.

He concluded the letter with strong words on reconciliation spoken by civil rights leader -- and no stranger to Birmingham -- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

"The method of nonviolence seeks not to humiliate and not to defeat the oppressor, but it seeks to win his friendship and his understanding. And thereby and therefore, the aftermath of this method is reconciliation."

Read Woodfin's full letter here.