Local media reporters in Chicago are alleging that Democrat Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is selecting who gets to do one-on-one interviews with her based on the race of the interviewer.
NBC 5 political reporter Mary Ann Ahern made the initial allegation on Twitter, writing: “As @chicagosmayor reaches her two year midway point as mayor, her spokeswoman says Lightfoot is granting 1 on 1 interviews – only to Black or Brown journalists.”
Chicago PBS news anchor Paris Schultz responded: “I was told the same thing.”
I was told the same thing.
— Paris Schutz (@paschutz) May 18, 2021
Chicago PBS political reporter Heather Cherone said that she could “confirm” what Ahern was alleging.
I can confirm, alderman
— Heather Cherone (@HeatherCherone) May 18, 2021
Lightfoot’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Daily Wire or Fox News.
Australian political commentator Rita Panahi responded to the allegations by writing on Twitter: “More ‘anti-racist’ racism. Almost amusing how regressive race-obsession is celebrated among the Left.”
More "anti-racist" racism. Almost amusing how regressive race-obsession is celebrated among the Left. https://t.co/VtzpQyfklg
— Rita Panahi (@RitaPanahi) May 19, 2021
“Racism in the name of wokeism is still racism,” another commentator said. Another added, “So wouldn’t that make her a racist?”
Progressive writer Zaid Jilani wrote: “Is she going to do some kinda DNA test to assure she upholds this rule?”
Is she going to do some kinda DNA test to assure she upholds this rule? https://t.co/9d7rXZTnCV
— Zaid Jilani (@ZaidJilani) May 19, 2021
“It is unclear when such a practice was enacted and if it only applies to local reporters, particularly after her MSNBC appearance with Stephanie Ruhle on Monday,” Fox News reported. “During her MSNBC interview, Lightfoot told Ruhle she would ‘encourage’ Chicago residents to continue wearing masks despite the new CDC guidance allowing those with the coronavirus vaccine to go without them.”
“I know for me personally, I’m going to continue to wear a mask in public and I’m going to encourage others to do so,” Lightfoot told Ruhle. “We’ve got to make sure that people are continuing to follow the public health guidance that has gotten us this far, and masks, I think, are a big and important part of that.”
Lightfoot said on Tuesday afternoon that her decision to continue to encourage people to wear masks was not based on distrust of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“But I think their guidance last week regarding masks has people confused…We need clarification,” Lightfoot said. “We still have a long way to go to hit the critical mass (of vaccinations) or herd immunity. I don’t want people to have false confidence.”
“To say, ‘If you’re vaccinated, you don’t have to wear a mask,’ that’s great. But what about all of the other people who are out there that aren’t vaccinated?” Lightfoot added. “There’s no way to know that. So I think for the time being, most people are gonna continue to wear masks outside of their homes.”
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