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Residents tell commissioners a county official wore ICE shirt at June rally, calling it intimidating
Summary
Two residents told the Alleghany County Board of Commissioners they saw a county commissioner wearing a shirt reading “ICE federal agent” at a June 14 rally, saying the appearance intimidated protesters and risked implying official endorsement; speakers asked the board to clarify standards for officials’ public conduct.
Carolyn Pruitt, a resident, told the Alleghany County Board of Commissioners she attended the June 14 “No Kings” protest outside the county courthouse and observed what she described as a county commissioner standing at courthouse doors wearing a shirt that said “ICE federal agent.” “Wearing an ICE t shirt is inappropriate,” Pruitt said, adding that it could be misinterpreted as representing county policy and that it created a conflict with Hispanic residents.
Trish Gardner, another resident who said she was at the same rally, told the board she was “troubled” after learning the person wearing the shirt was County Commissioner Greg Walker. Gardner said she had tried twice to reach Walker and had not received a response. “People were intimidated. People were made to feel unsafe,” Gardner said, urging commissioners to be mindful that public officials “should be respectful of all the people of Alleghany County.”
Both speakers framed their remarks as nonpartisan appeals to the commissioners’ role in representing all residents. Pruitt said the shirt’s wording could rise to impersonation of a federal agent and called for county officials to avoid “any appearance of impropriety.” Gardner asked the board to remember that officials serve from “an office of honor” and to consider how officials’ public presentation affects residents’ sense of safety.
The board did not take a formal action during the public-comment period; no commissioner offered a response on the record during the meeting. The comments were made during the public-comment portion of the July 8 meeting and were not followed by a board vote or investigation during that session. The board later moved into administrative business on budget and personnel items.
Next steps: the commissioners did not announce a plan to investigate or respond publicly at the meeting. If the board or an ethics official chooses to review the matter, that action would be separate from the business conducted at this session.
