Black Caucus Leader Calls For Follmer To Resign

April 25, 1996 2:57 p.m. EDT

There's a call for the resignation of a Capital insider who admits he uttered racist remarks.

Don Follmer, who works as the spokesman for Republican N.C. House Speaker Harold Brubaker, says he did use the phrase "niggers and wormy kids" when referring to a group of UNC students and housekeepers protesting outside the state Legislative Building earlier this month. Many of the protesters were black and UNC students.

Follmer says he made the comment during a private conversation and meant it only as a joke.

Representative Howard Hunter, leader of the Legislative Black Caucus, told WRAL-TV5'sMark RobertsThursday morning that he fails to get the joke, and that "heads should roll" because of that remark.

Listen toaufile.

Hunter says in addition to an apology, he wants Follmer off the job and wants to open up the whole issue of racism in the General Assembly.

Follmer's boss is, according to his office, out of town, and can't be reached for comment.

Hunter says he thinks Brubaker is being "insensitive" for not addressing this issue