OCALA, Fla. – Just over a month after signing the controversial saggy pants ordinance, Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn said Tuesday he no longer supports it and is urging council members to reconsider.
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"I think you get into really dangerous territory when you start legislating what type of clothes people wear or how they put together their ensemble," Guinn said.
His stance comes after criticism by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. The groups claims to be taking direct action against the city, which can mean a lawsuit, according to Dale Landry, with the NAACP Florida chapter.
"I'm sorry, it's going to be black males that are the subject of this," Landry said.
The saggy pants law bans anyone on city property from wearing his or her pants two inches below the natural waist in a way that exposes their underwear or buttocks. Offenders can be fined up to $500 and spend time in jail.
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"It's deplorable, its despicable, nobody wants to see anyone's behind. I don't want to see your underwear," said Franklin Rich, a teacher who supports the law and said he feels it promotes respect and good morals.
"I think they should take up a different fight. I would advise the NAACP to put their resources into educating and empowering our people, not supporting negative behavior," Rich said.
Guinn told Local 6 that council members can vote to amend the ordinance or repeal it at an upcoming meeting.