The leader of the Erie County Democratic Party will be calling on Joseph Mascia to end his candidacy for the Fillmore District Common Council seat.Mascia is under fire for making racial remarks against Mayor Byron Brown, Council President Darrius Pridgen and other African American leaders.
"It's not about apologizing to me. Who he owes an apology to are the diverse tenants in public housing who elected him to represent their interests. He owes those folks who live in public housing, some who believed in him, some who voted for him, he owes them the apology," said Mayor Brown Brown.
Democratic Party chairman Jeremy Zellner will hold a news briefing at Committee Headquarters at 3:30 Friday afternoon.
Masia is a Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority Commissioner who was caught in a recording using the "N" word in describing the black leaders. Mascia has apologized publicly, but has not directly called Mayor Brown. WBFO News asked the Mayor about an apology.
"It's not about apologizing to me. Who he owes an apology to are the diverse tenants in public housing who elected him to represent their interests," said Mayor. "He owes those folks who live in public housing, some who believed in him, some who voted for him, he owes them the apology."
Chairman Zellner said Mascia needs to end his candidacy so the community 'can heal and move on from this despicable situation.'
State Assemblyman Sean Ryan is also urging Masica to end his run for Council and is calling for him to immediately resign from the BMHA.
"I was appalled to hear racist comments from Common Council Candidate Joseph Mascia, directed toward many local political figures. Mr. Mascia is clearly unfit to serve on the Buffalo Common Council, and I urge him to end his candidacy. By using such disgusting language, Mr. Mascia has disqualified himself from representing the people of the City of Buffalo. Additionally, Mr. Mascia should immediately resign his position as a Commissioner for the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority. Buffalo's greatest strength is our diverse population. Every day, we should be striving to become a more inclusive and unified city. Mr. Mascia's comments disparaging African Americans and Arab Americans seek to divide our community, at a time when embracing our diversity should be our top priority," said Ryan.
The Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority is also demanding Mascia step down from his post.