Halifax Town Council member said he doesn't plan to step down amid criticism over letter

HALIFAX COUNTY, Va. (WSET) -- Some residents of Halifax are angered over a letter that was written by one of their council members.

While many people called for Halifax Council Member Jack Dunavant to step down at a meeting on Tuesday night, no action was taken against Dunavant at the meeting.

Dunavant's letter, which was published in the local paper, offended a number of people.

In the letter, he wrote that many Black children are born out of wedlock and said that these families abuse the welfare system.

He said that he wrote the letter because he wanted to inform the town on the rising number of children born out of wedlock, an issue he said he's deeply concerned about.

"The father out of the home, that's not only bad for the country but that's bad for Christianity," Dunavant said.

On August 2, protestors gathered at the Town of Halifax Farmers Market and then marched down South Main Street in response to Dunavant's letter.

In addition, over 800 people have signed a change.org petition asking Dunavant to step down.

People in Halifax were given the chance to express their outrage over Dunavant's words at Tuesday night's meeting.

"His attitude is not one that fosters inclusiveness in this community," Barabara Coleman-Brown, the President of South Boston-Halifax County's NAACP Branch, said. "He lacks concern for how his expressions are in actuality received by the community."

Dunavant's daughter said that she will continue to support her father.

"The actual threats lodged at my father for trying to do good and open dialogue for positive change is abhorrently reprehensible," Sarah Dunavant said.

Only one council member spoke against Dunvant's letter on Tuesday night.

Michael Trent, a member of the council, said that while he doesn't agree with Dunavant's words, he still respects him as a friend and fellow council member.

"Those were your points but those are societal problems," Trent said. "Those aren't just African American problems. That's everybody."

The Halifax Town Council did not say if they would revisit this issue.

Dunavant said that he believes that the board is fully supporting him and that he isn't planning on going anywhere amid the community backlash.

"My intent was never to offend anyone with that letter," Dunavant said.