Durham City Council member apologizes for profanity-laced outburst
A Durham City Council member apologized Monday night for cursing during a confrontation with a colleague earlier this year.
Council member DeDreana Freeman got into a heated argument with Mayor Pro Tem Mark-Anthony Middleton that witnesses said became physical after the council’s March 23 meeting.
At the meeting, the mayor revealed Council member Monique Holsey-Hyman was being investigated for an alleged extortion attempt of a developer and improper involvement of city staff in her election campaign.
Freeman jumped to Holsey-Hyman’s defense and accused Middleton of being a bully toward Black women. Middleton rejected the charge, and the notion that he had any involvement in the allegations against Holsey-Hyman surfacing publicly.
Freeman, who has refused to discuss the incident with reporters, read a prepared statement at the start of Monday night’s meeting.
“It’s one thing to defend myself and others and to be angry, but it’s another thing to use profanity,” she said. “I just want to take a moment and apologize.”
She did not take back the sentiment behind the words.
“I know that my anger goes along with my passion. And so, just as you see me drop tears, I can get very angry,” Freeman continued, looking up from her statement. “It was not a good day and the profanity was unnecessary, but I do think what I said needed to be said.”
Middleton thanked Freeman for her apology, but disagreed with the last part of her statement.
“What was said did not need to be said. That implies that it was justified and it was based on something and I reject that anyone deserved that,” he said. “But I do want to honor her for apologizing.”
What happened?
Freeman and Middleton’s argument largely took place behind closed doors, though the shouting could be heard in council chambers.
“I’m so (expletive) done with you,” Freeman told Middleton. “This is how you treat Black women.”
“She (Holsey-Hyman) listens to you,” Middleton said.
“She can speak for her (expletive) self,” Freeman said. “I’m done with this (expletive).”
“Get off me,” Freeman cried out several times.
Middleton told The N&O last month those statements were not directed at him.
“She wasn’t talking to me. She was talking to the people that were holding her back from trying to get me,” Middleton said. “At no point did I touch her ... Even when I was being swung on, I didn’t assume a defensive posture. I didn’t return blows. I retreated until I couldn’t retreat any further.”
INDY Week, citing an anonymous source, reported last month that Freeman hit Mayor Elaine O’Neal and council member Leonardo Williams as she tried to get to Middleton.
Both O’Neal and Williams entered the room after the yelling began in an attempt to de-escalate the situation.
Williams told The N&O that Freeman was directing the comment to him.
“She was talking to me, because I did stand in between them,” Williams said, declining to discuss the incident further.
What is the status of the investigation?
The FBI and State Bureau of Investigation both opened inquiries into Holsey-Hyman, who has declined interview requests and refused to answer questions.
She has denied intentional wrongdoing, but has not addressed the alleged extortion attempt reported by a developer.
Spokespersons from the U.S. Department of Justice and SBI said Tuesday they do not comment on ongoing investigations.
The council has been largely silent on the matter since early April, when O’Neal declined to add a resolution censuring Holsey-Hyman to the agenda. It did not have the majority’s support.
O’Neal hugged Holsey-Hyman after reading a proclamation Monday night declaring humility the virtue of the month.
“We are prioritizing understanding, breaking barriers and empowering one another,” O’Neal read, urging residents to “work on mindfulness, self-control and remain optimistic while always spreading kindness and respect.”
The audience applauded when O’Neal handed Holsey-Hyman the proclamation.
“I’d like to present this proclamation to council member Monique Holsey-Hyman, without her having to say a word other than to come and get it,” O’Neal said.
This story was originally published May 2, 2023 at 11:01 AM.
