Yakima Meme Leads To New Diversity Council In Kennewick

KENNEWICK, Wash. (AP) — The city of Kennewick has formed a diversity council in the wake backlash from a councilman's private Facebook posts that were perceived as being disparaging to the Latino community.

City administrators proposed establishing the commission to settle threats of a Latino boycott against Columbia Center after Councilman Bob Parks posted a meme in support of presidential candidate Donald Trump's proposed border wall.

On the post, which was a reposted image commenting on the number of Latinos in Yakima, Parks commented that there were more Latinos in Pasco. He later said he intended to criticize illegal immigration, not Latinos.

The City Council will screen applicants for the seven-person council, which will help identify gaps in services to minority populations in the city.