ESCANABA — Residents opposing comments made by Council Member Ralph Blasier suggesting rioters at the city’s planned Independence Day celebration be shot called for his resignation Thursday during the council’s regular meeting, which was held virtually.

At the June 4 meeting, Blasier read from a press release he drafted to inform residents about social distancing practices for the fireworks display set for July 3. The fourth and final paragraph of the release shifted from social distancing to violence.

“‘Any person throwing objects at police, shooting at anyone, looting and setting fires will be shot in both legs and left lying there till dawn, and at dawn, each person will need to crawl to the hospital,'” read Council Member Ralph Blasier. “I mean, this text for your public announcement, people might want to alter it some. This is just the first draft. If I were alone in charge of the city, this is what I would publish, but I can see where some people might, change it a little bit.”

Blasier made clear to the rest of the council during that meeting that his comment was facetious and intended as a joke, but in the wake of violent protests over the death of George Floyd community members weren’t laughing.

“I do not support and I’m actually offended at his suggestion of gun violence in our community, and that’s all I have to say about that,” said resident Lorne Watson Thursday.

Some of the residents present at Thursday’s meeting criticized comments made by Blasier after the June 4 meeting. Blasier issued a written apology on June 5, which claimed it was “the same advice” as statements made by presidential candidate Joe Biden about police officers being trained to shoot assailants “in the leg instead of the heart.” He also said of Peter Gregoire, the resident who launched a petition effort for his recall, “I never really respected him because of his, in my opinion,limited intelligence,” during an interview with the Daily Press.

“Now, in a different era, when people were more honest and civil, somebody who had so clearly brought shame and dishonor on his town would do the right thing and step down. So I call on you tonight, Mr. Blasier, step down. It’s the right thing to do. You’ve brought shame nationally on this outstanding community we’re so proud of. If you don’t, for the first time in my whole entire life, I’m going to work hard to unseat a politician,” said resident Phil Lynch, who criticized Blasier’s later comments. “I truly wish you well in life, I really do. I also wish you off this council and not representing my family anymore.”

The recall petition language heads to a clarity language hearing on June 29, where it will either be approved or will be bounced back to Gregorie for revisions to the wording. However, the formal effort for Blasier’s removal is not the only petition circulating related to his comments. On June 7, resident Emily Wolen started a Change.org petition for Blasier’s removal, which had nearly 2,500 signatures as of Thursday night.

“I basically just wanted to address the city council saying you know, the citizens of Escanaba are listening, watching and reading and since the Associated Press gave attention to the story as well, the citizens of America are (too),” said Wolen.

The Associated Press picked up the story a few days after the June 4 meeting, sending the story across the nation. Officials have claimed many of the phone calls criticizing Blasier’s statement were from outside the Upper Peninsula.

“Mr. Blasier, I wish you very (good) luck in the future, however, I certainly hope you never be in charge of our city or any other city,” said resident William Gasman.

Despite multiple community members calling for Blasier to resign, he did have some support.

“It seems like we should be more concerned with people that would be doing that than this comment,” said resident Craig Taylor, addressing the looters, arsonists, shooters, and those attacking the police Blasier initially referenced in his statement.

Neither Blasier nor the rest of the council addressed the comments or the controversy surrounding them during the meeting.