New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. joins the Mexican and Mexican-American communities in support of the resignation of Betsy Perry, appointee to the Mayor’s Commission for Women’s Issues at a rally held in front of the Mexican Consulate on May 5, 2009. Photo credit: Marla S. Maritzer

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New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. today issued the following statement after Betsy Perry resigned from the New York City Commission on Women’s Issues after she came under fire for publishing an online essay stating that swine flu is an “excuse to close our borders” to Mexico:

“The resignation of Betsy Perry is more than welcome to the millions, including myself, who were offended by her insensitive and callous remarks.  Her essay was an unfathomable display of narrow-mindedness and displayed an utter disrespect for Latino and immigrant communities,” Thompson said. “Once her remarks were published, the Mayor should have immediately dismissed her from the appointed position.  Instead, he showed a clear lack of sensitivity to the immigrant community by simply deeming the remarks ‘inappropriate’ and affording her the opportunity to remain in her position. Betsy Perry has accepted the responsibility of her actions, but the Mayor should have made that decision for her.”

Last Friday, Comptroller Thompson was joined by a coalition of City and State elected officials demanding that Mayor Bloomberg reconsider his appointment of Perry, a member of the New York City Committee on Women’s Issues, after she published online an essay stating that swine flu is an “excuse to close our borders” to Mexico.

In a strongly worded letter – which can be viewed at www.comptroller.nyc.gov – the coalition said that Betsy Perry’s essay was a display of narrow-mindedness that displayed an utter disrespect for Latino and immigrant communities.

The group questioned Ms. Perry’s contention that her goal was to be “sharp and funny,” charging that: “We all agree that there is no humor in a public health crisis or intolerance.”

The New York City Commission on Women's Issues advises the Mayor on matters impacting the lives of women and provides women and their families with access to City services. 

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