Bishop Mark Freeman Resigns from Commission After 'Offensive' Social Media Posts

RACINE -- Racine Fire and Police Commissioner Bishop Mark Freeman has resigned after controversial Facebook posts were posted on Facebook, city officials confirmed Friday.

According to a report from Fox 6, Those posts included photos of the Statue of Liberty hanging a slave from a noose. Another image discouraged children from pledging allegiance to the United States, showing an African-American youth with a U.S.A. flag-adorned noose around the youth's neck. The third image conveyed the message, "I will never trust the United Snakes of America."

Follow this link to see the images Freeman posted - Warning, the images may appear offensive.

Racine Mayor John Dickert said Police Chief Art Howell brought Freeman's social media posting to his attention.

The Racine Police Association and Staff Officers Association issued the following statement regarding Freeman's social media posts:

Bishop Mark Freeman’s social media postings which broadly portray law enforcement officers in a racist and vitriolic light are offensive, and the RPA and SOA have serious concerns about his ability to function as an objective member of the Racine Police & Fire Commission, as the law requires.

Freeman had intended to remain in his post on the commission, however he made the decision to resign on Friday.

Mayor Dickert's office released the following statement:

Mayor Dickert has accepted his resignation, although he plans to schedule on-going conversations among citizens, churchmen (including Bishop Freeman), police and himself. The purpose of these conversations will be to keep any existing or potential issues in the light of day and prevent misunderstandings and reactions to build to unnecessarily dangerous levels. “My job is not to take sides in these kinds of situations,” said Mayor Dickert, “my job is to make sure everyone is protected.”

In his letter of resignation, Freeman wrote the following:

“I will continue to pray for the brave men and women who serve our community and put themselves in harm’s way on a daily basis and for those whom they serve, that peace, calm and reconciliation will be the order of the day.”

Bishop Freeman had been recently appointed to the Racine Police and Fire Commission by Mayor John Dickert.

Dickert previously indicated he appointed Freeman to the commission because he’s a passionate man who’s concerned about African-American issues in the community.