Independence Party Seeks To Remove Member

ALBANY, N.Y. -- The state Independence Party is trying to remove an executive committee member who is accused of saying Jews "function as mass murderers of people of color."

Letters were sent to county chairmen asking them to recall Lenora Fulani at a Sept. 18 meeting in Albany. They also are being asked to remove five of her supporters.

Her remarks have created an awkward situation for New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who is Jewish, as he courts Independence Party support in his re-election bid this year. Bloomberg called the remarks offensive in May and said the party's leadership should "stand up and say so." On Wednesday, Fulani was at City Hall urging members to vote for the mayor.
Bloomberg did not request Fulani's removal.