Chicago City Wire

Chicago Ald. Anthony Napolitano (41st) said fellow Ald. Bryon Sigcho-Lopez (25th) "has zero respect for our city or our country" and should be removed from all leadership positions in the Chicago City Council.

Napolitano made the comments on Facebook on March 24.

"Yesterday, this Chicago Alderman attended a disgusting anti-America event and watched as our American Flag was set on fire, and then proceeded to speak in front of the smoldering United States Flag," Napolitano said. "This Socialist took the same oath I did, but it is clear he has zero respect for our city or our country."

"His comrade recently got away with physical abuse and verbal threats to multiple aldermen," he said. "This socialist should be immediately removed from all leadership positions in the City Council and I hope my other colleagues will show some backbone to censure him."

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa stepped down from his positions as floor leader and city council zoning committee chair after it was revealed he attempted to physically Ald. Emma Mitts from entering the chamber for a procedural vote on if Chicago should remain a sanctuary city back in November of 2023. Several aldermen called for his removal from the council, which did not occur. 

A series of photos posted by Matthew Kaplan on Instagram showed a group of protestors burning an American flag, and alderman Sicgho-Lopez speaking to the group with a microphone in front of the burned flag afterwards. The protests claimed Democrat leaders in the country have not done enough to support Palestine. 

The group was protesting the Democratic National Convention, which is scheduled to be held in Chicago this August. Protestors have been seeking permits to hold protest marches throughout the Convention, but were denied by the Chicago Department of Transportation. They filed a lawsuit against the city on Friday, claiming their first amendment rights were being violated by the denial, CBS News Chicago reported.