GAINESVILLE - State Representative Carl Rogers of Gainesville is being asked to apologize for a picture of the founder of the KKK which once hung in an office of a company he has a stake in - but is reportedly refusing to do so at this time.
According to a flyer demanding the apology, the picture was already there when Rogers became a partner. The employee who was displaying the picture has reportedly issued an apology.
The flyer - which surfaced at a political forum Tuesday night - solicits signatures for a petition requesting that Rogers, a Republican running for re-election against Democrat Ashley Bell, personally issue a written statement of apology and explanation of the portrait.
Rogers' didn't comment on the flyer at the time but is quoted by the Times today as saying "they will not receive an apology from me at this time."
Many of those present at the forum said they feel the motive for the flyer is political.
One of Rogers' supporters questioned its sincerity, saing "If people were honestly concerned, they wouldn't go about it like this."
Bell is quoted as saying his campaign is not involved.
The flyer appears to be a photocopy of a fax with the name and number of the Newtown Florist Club, a Gainesville civil rights group, on its header. The only identification of its authorship is www.kkkquestions.com, a Web address that provides no further information about who is responsible for writing it.
Friday
June 6th, 2025
10:43AM
