PALATKA, Fla. — Putnam County Commissioner Walton Pellicer II is facing criticism from civic groups but remains unapologetic after describe Iranian adversaries as “towel heads” during a Tuesday Board of County Commissioners meeting.
While discussing his 2013 tour of the USS George H.W. Bush, a carrier recently deployed to the Middle East, Pellicer expressed pride in American military strength before referring to the targets of U.S. strikes.
“Kind of neat to think that I was on that [carrier] that’s over there flinging bombs on those towel heads,” Pellicer said during the meeting.
He immediately followed the remark by adding, “Sorry about that, but that’s the way I feel about them, that particular country. We got a lot of the good friends over there, but those are not our friends. Those are enemies. And that’s the way that is folks.”
The comment has caught the attention of the Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations which is now calling for Pellicer’s resignation.
“Elected officials have a responsibility to represent all members of their community with dignity and respect. The use of a hateful and dehumanizing slur by Commissioner Pellicer is unacceptable and unbefitting of public office. His refusal to apologize only compounds the harm caused to American Muslims and others who expect their leaders to uphold basic standards of decency. We call on Commissioner Pellicer to resign immediately.“
Despite pushback, Pellicer clarified that his remarks were directed specifically at the Iranian regime, which he characterized as a long-standing threat to American lives.
“They’re evil people,” Pellicer told the Palatka Daily News.
In an email exchange with a constituent who labeled the statement racist and demanded a public apology, Pellicer reiterated his postition. He cited the deaths of American service members at the hands of Iranian-backed forces and the regime’s frequent “Death to America” rhetoric as justification for his lack of remorse.
“So no, I will not apologize,” he wrote to the resident.
Florida’s Voice has requested additional comment from Pellicer. He has not responded. This story will be updated.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include the statement of the Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
