15-04-2025
South Carolina city councilman censured over social media comments mentioning Kyle Rittenhouse
TEGA CAY, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A Tega Cay city councilman has been censured by his fellow board members following a vote at Monday night's regular meeting.
The vote was unanimous, meaning even Scott Shirley himself approved the official admonishing.
The move stems from what the city calls 'disruptive and offensive' social media posts related to Kyle Rittenhouse. Rittenhouse was acquitted of killing two men and wounding another during a Black Lives Matter rally in Wisconsin in 2020 when he was 17 years old.
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The proclamation to censure Shirley reads, in part:
'Scott Shirley, while seated as a City Council member, engaged in conduct violative of the values and principles expected of City Council members, as the governing and legislative body of the City, by making disruptive, offensive and inflammatory posts on social media including posts that could insinuate support of acts of violence or vigilantism if disruptive persons came into the City limits.'
Proclamation to censure Scott Shirley
The document also says the posts demonstrate 'disrespect for the office and position of a City Council member and is a disservice to the citizens' of Tega Cay.
Shirley said before the vote that the comments were taken out of context.
'Referring to young man did not incite violence,' he said. 'Kyle Rittenhouse defended himself by shooting three, killing two. … I was not advocating violence or vigilantism, I was advocating free speech and bearing arms.'
Mayor Chris Gray challenged everyone to 'think before we speak.' He also brought up that this is Holy Week on the Christian calendar, with Easter coming on Sunday.
'This Sunday, He will have climbed upon the cross for everyone,' he said. 'I would encourage us all to give grace this week especially.' Gray still voted for the censure.
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