MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - A routine Alabama committee meeting broke down Wednesday after a lawmaker leveled an accusation of racism at a speaker who dismissed marijuana arrest disparities as playing the “race card.”
Rep. Juandalynn Givan, a Birmingham Democrat, warned former state Rep. Richard Laird to never return to the House Judiciary Committee for using the term during a public hearing about legislation that would lessen penalties for marijuana possession in the state.
She also argued with the body’s chairman, Andalusia Republican Rep. Mike Jones, for interrupting her during the spat and criticized him for not stopping Laird when he made the comment.
Laird apologized shortly after saying “I hate when anyone plays the race card” in reference to a proponent of the bill who previously noted that African-Americans were more likely to be arrested for possessing the drug.
When the hearing ended, Givan hurled an expletive-laden rant at Jones. She then approached Laird and pointed her finger in his face, telling him that she would remove him if he ever came back.
“Don’t you ever come in here again. I will take you out,” she told Laird before leaving the room.
Laird was representing the ethics group Alabama Citizens Action Program during the hearing. Security escorted him out after the meeting ended.
Emailed requests for comments to Givan and Jones were not immediately returned. A voicemail left on Laird’s phone was also not immediately returned.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.