CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) — A Champaign city council member is under fire for posting a swastika symbol on his personal Facebook account. 

The since deleted post by Council member Davion Williams drew a strong rebuke from Champaign's mayor, at least one other member of city council, and members of the public.

The post, which WAND News is not sharing, was a red swastika with ties to religions such as Hindu and Buddhism. However, the swastika symbol has become a symbol of hate and antisemitism since its use by Nazis in the early 1900's. 

In his Facebook post, Williams described the symbol as "ancient," and used for, "thousands of years across multiple cultures."

Dozens of comments on the post rebuked Williams for attempting to tie the symbol to meanings of peace and prosperity. 

Champaign Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen and the following Council Members: Alicia Beck, Jamar Brown, Michael Foellmer, Matthew Gladney, Will Kyles, Vanna Pianfetti, and Kathy Shannon released an official statement regarding Councilman Williams post Thursday afternoon. The statement is as follows:

"This blatant display and disregard for the values we uphold as a City is unacceptable. His posts and comments were reckless and we strongly condemn them. We refuse to allow his statements to reflect our City organization or our community.

We acknowledge the great pain that so many groups have faced based on their race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, and other protected classes. We understand the fear that rips through a community when a local elected official makes residents feel unsafe with their rhetoric. We are determined to strongly lead and do what we do best for our community by speaking up for our residents who feel they have no voice amid the loud hateful speech and acts that surround us. We cannot be silent today!

We stand and loudly affirm our commitment to denounce hate at every turn and speak truth and acknowledge the pain of our diverse community members who still suffer due to hate and discrimination. We proudly uphold our City’s strong Human Rights Ordinance which protects the most vulnerable among us.We stand firm and say loudly to all those who call this wonderfully diverse community home, that the City of Champaign values all of our residents. We are a welcoming community and hate has no home here!"

Last month, Williams apologized at a council meeting for comments some thought were antisemitic. His comments came during public discussion about a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas over the war in Gaza. Williams was responding to a member of the public calling on council to make a proclamation supporting Palestine. 

WAND News has reached out to Williams' official city council email, but hasn't received a response. 

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