Roanoke (WSLS-10) - Roanoke City Council will hold a special session Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. The reason for the meeting was not revealed in an e-mail to the media which simply stated, "Pursuant to Section 10 of the City Charter, Council Member Ray Ferris has called a special meeting of Council for 2 p.m. on Friday, November 20, 2015, in Council Chamber."
A source who asked not to be identified tells WSLS that the meeting is being held so Mayor David Bowers can apologize for his comments and statement written on official letterhead on Wednesday comparing the need to prevent Syrian refugees from coming to the United States, and Roanoke in particular -- with the Japanese internment camps of World War II. The meeting was reportedly called after a deal was struck in which council members would use their influence to slow the movement calling for Bowers' opposition in return for his public apology.