Former Tea Party Express Chairman Mark Williams Still One of the “Top 20 Most Influential People in the Tea Party”
Williams Agrees to Undergo Racial Sensitivity Training Due to Controversial Letter
Sacramento, CA— More than three months after the initial onslaught of controversy surrounding the satirical letter written, and then posted, by then-Tea Party Express Chairman Mark Williams, the outspoken front man is raising his voice on the issue. “That letter showed an unbelievable amount of disrespect and irresponsibility on my part,” said Williams. “I am extremely humbled and very thankful that my personal lapse of judgment did not detract from a cause that I think is critical; not just to me, but to every American and their inalienable rights: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
In early July, Williams posted a mock letter from “the Colored People” to President Lincoln on his blog, which brought about his eventual resignation as the chairman of the Tea Party Express due to satirical criticism of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
The divisive blog post sparked a reaction from NAACP president Benjamin Jealous, who responded to Williams’ letter with a conciliatory gesture: in a recent interview with CNN, Jealous stated that he would be happy to sit down and talk with Williams if he is willing to apologize for his past troubling statements, including the offensive letter.
Williams has since removed the post from his blog, and “would be grateful for an opportunity to publicly apologize to Mr. Jealous and the NAACP.” He has asserted that his remarks should in no way be considered a reflection of the Tea Party movement’s principles. “I’d like to extend an apology to the Tea Party and to any others who I’ve offended with my reckless commentary,” stated Williams. “I’ve decided that racial sensitivity training would be good for me; I know my behavior needs to change and I’m ready to take that step.”
Williams has been named one of the “Top 20 Most Influential People in the Tea Party” according to The Daily Telegraph in London. For the complete list, visit: www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/us-politics/8056705/Top-20-most-influential-people-in-the-Tea-Party-movement-20-11.html. Williams is the author of Taking Back America One Tea Party at a Time, and was named one of the New York Daily News’ “Tea Party Animals.” He has spoken at more than 200 Tea Party events across the U.S. and is the leading opponent of the Ground Zero Mosque. Williams continues to fight and work on behalf of the Tea Party candidates nationwide in his new role as President of Conservative Party USA.
On his recent appointment to the Top 20 list, Williams said, “That somebody as controversial and outspoken as me is among the most influential Americans in the New American Revolution speaks volumes to the legitimacy of our movement. We are real, very real. I am both grateful and thrilled to be a part of it.” Conservative Party USA was formed in April 2009 and is currently active in 14 states, with expectations to become a nationally-recognized organization within the year.
For more information or to donate to the Conservative Party USA, please visit www.cpusa.org, or for Mark Williams’ blog, visit www.marktalk.com.
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For more information or to schedule an interview with Mark Williams, please contact Kristen Schremp at Kristen@kaspublicity.com or 703.928.5527
Kristen Schremp
703.928.5527
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