councilor

But then again, even in Shelby County, Roberts used a case that began when a small Alabama city redistricted a Black councilor out of office —on maps that had not been precleared with the government — as his vehicle to end preclearance and pronounce a new day of sunny racial harmony.

His prior public service, as councilor, then deputy mayor, of a Sydney suburb ended abruptly in 2009 amid displays of undiplomatic temper.

But tourism councilor Simone Venturini was shocked that anyone might be upset that such a high-profile event was happening in the city.

Anab Awale, a district councilor in Mitte who is Somali German, said the nonchalance of German officials toward comfort women revisionism was clear evidence that Germany’s own racial inequalities remain unresolved.

“This is an opportunity for economic growth,” says Ericka Alneus, the city councilor behind the 24-hour plan.