An Auburn city councilor who came under fire for remarks made about Black people has apologized and stepped down from his assignments as city councilor.

Councilor Leroy Walker faced criticism over comments he made during a council meeting earlier this week about naming a pedestrian bridge after John Jenkins, a former mayor and the first Black person to serve as a state senator in Maine.

Using the term “dark-colored people,” Walker said those down South who are breaking the law make a “black mark toward John Jenkins.”

Walker issued a statement Friday, saying he would be stepping down from all board, committee, and commission assignments and taking the time to reflect and learn from the experience.

“John Jenkins was a good friend of mine for 40 years, I meant no disrespect to him or his family. He is much loved and deeply respected in Auburn and beyond and I want my community to know that I respect his legacy and fully support the renaming of this footbridge. Upon much reflection and after hearing from constituents, friends, and colleagues, I understand that my comments at the recent Auburn City Council meeting were insensitive and inappropriate, and I humbly and sincerely apologize.”

According to CBS 13, Auburn and Lewiston voted to rename the bridge after Jenkins, who died of cancer last September.