The embattled mayor of Roanoke, Virginia, apologized Friday for comments earlier in the week citing the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II in a statement defending his push to keep Syrian refugees out of the area.
"I apologize to all of those offended by my remarks, Mayor David Bowers said at a special meeting of the Roanoke City Council. "In particular, I apologize to Americans of Japanese descent for the unwise and inappropriate comparison between the internment of Americans of Japanese descent during World War II and the current refugee crisis."
Bowers said that he had not anticipated his comments would reach a global audience over the Internet. The remarks spread like wildfire via social media and blogs, with the vast majority condemning the mayor's remarks as inappropriate.
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