News / Politics

Virginia Gov. Northam under pressure to quit over racist photo

Sunday, 03 February 2019 8:14 AM [ Last Update: Sunday, 03 February 2019 8:32 AM ]

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam's yearbook page shows men in blackface and KKK garb.

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam is facing intense pressure to step down after a photograph has surfaced showing him in racist garb.

A picture surfaced on Friday showing Northam, a 59-year-old Democrat, in blackface posing next to someone wearing a hate group Ku Klux Klan hood.

Even though he initially apologized for the photo, which appeared in his 1984 student yearbook page, he later denied he was in it.

"Earlier, a website published a photograph of me from my 1984 medical school yearbook in a costume that is clearly racist and offensive,” he said in a statement on Friday.

“I am deeply sorry for the decision I made to appear as I did in this photo and for the hurt that decision caused then and now.”

However, during an hour-long news conference at the Governor's Mansion in Richmond on Saturday, he said, "I believe now and then that I am not either of the people in this photo."

"This was not me in that picture. That was not Ralph Northam," he added, denying that he had ever worn a KKK robe and hood or been drunk enough to forget a moment like that.

Northam, however, admitted that he darkened his face with shoe polish when he dressed up as Michael Jackson for a dance contest in San Antonio, Texas in the 1980s.

Among those who called for him to resign were both of Virginia's senators -- Mark Warner and Tim Kaine -- and Rep. Bobby Scott. Northam said he would try to win over those who demanded his ouster.

Ralph Northam speaks with reporters at a press conference on Saturday, February 2, 2019. (Photo by AFP)

"I intend to continue doing the business of Virginia," he said, adding, however, "I could spare myself from the difficult path that lies ahead. I could avoid an honest conversation about harmful actions from my past."

President Donald Trump, who himself has faced mounting criticism for failing to disavow the endorsement of former KKK leader David Duke, took to Twitter to criticize Northam.

He also brought up the governor’s recent comments supporting a proposed bill to allow in-labor abortions in the state.

Democrat Governor Ralph Northam of Virginia just stated, “I believe that I am not either of the people in that photo.” This was 24 hours after apologizing for appearing in the picture and after making the most horrible statement on “super” late term abortion. Unforgivable!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 3, 2019

The Ku Klux Klan has targeted African Americans, Jews, Catholics and immigrants, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center, which studies hate groups.

In November 2016, the group said it would hold a victory parade in celebration of Trump’s election triumph over Hillary Clinton.