RACINE — At least one organization is calling for Assembly Speaker Robin Vos to step down after it was learned he said a controversial statement about immigrants and the spread of the coronavirus during a private conversation that was secretly recorded with Republican leaders and Gov. Evers.
During the conversation, Speaker Vos said, "Trying to understand the need for a rule. If you need the ability to force people to work together that is one thing. The reason in my region is because of a large immigrant population. Difference in culture of people living much closer and working closer together."
Since then, Voces de la Frontera has called for him to step down.
"Assembly Speaker Robin Vos should resign his leadership position given his racist and false claim that immigrant culture is to blame for COVID-19 outbreaks in Racine County, the district he represents,” said Christine Neumann-Ortiz, Executive Director of Voces de la Frontera.
This comes after it was learned a state staffer secretly recorded the phone call between Republican leaders and Gov. Evers. Politicians from both sides said that they believe the staffer who is responsible should be fired for what they did.
During a press conference on Thursday, Gov. Evers said he didn't know the conversation was being recorded.
Speaker Vos responded to comments that he should step down in a tweet.
"Listen to what was said and not the sensationalist headline. Facts show communities of color are disproportionally impacted. That's science."
Listen to what was said and not the sensationalist headline. Facts show communities of color are disproportionally impacted. That's science.
— Robin Vos (@repvos) June 11, 2020
