Update, 6:10 PM:

In a late-afternoon news conference at her home, Councilwoman Michele Fiore, who is also the state's Republican national committeewoman, refused to confirm what she said at the Clark County Republican convention that has resulted in a rebuke, a recall attempt and a call for her demotion as mayor pro tem.

Among other things, Fiore apologized if she offended anyone, but defiantly told reporters she would not repeat what she had said and insisted she had been told, "Black lives get media, white lives don't, all lives matter."

She said that what Councilman Cedric Crear, the lone African-American on the board, said about her in his letter to the mayor had defamed her. But when she was asked what was false, she ended the news conference. Here is the video:

In a letter to Mayor Carolyn Goodman, Las Vegas City Councilman Cedric Crear is demanding that Councilwoman Michele Fiore be stripped of her “mayor pro tempore” leadership title on the council.  

The letter, shared Thursday morning, comes in response to comments made by Fiore at the Clark County Republican Party Convention last weekend. Several attendees recalled her open criticism of affirmative action and a statement about her “white ass” getting a job over someone else’s “black ass.”  

“Michele Fiore’s comments were totally repugnant, and spit in the face of all black persons,” Crear wrote in the letter. “There is no excuse for this kind of bigotry in our country. Black people have been fighting for centuries to rid America of such racial divisiveness, and we have finally arrived at a tipping point. The timing makes the comments even more reprehensible,” he said, alluding to the recent Black Lives Matter protests. 

As the sole black person on the Las Vegas City Council, Crear said he will not be silent regarding the councilwoman’s remarks lest they be normalized. 

“As we work to heal our country during these heightened tensions, bigoted sentiments only create further divides, instead of seeking equality for all citizens,” Crear said. “If I were to stand silent on this issue, the statements could be viewed as the norm on the Las Vegas City Council and not the exception. We must send a clear message to the community that we oppose racism and bigotry.” 

Crear finished the letter by demanding Fiore be replaced in the pro tempore role — a title that means she would assume mayoral duties if Goodman is absent. 

“As Mayor, you have the sole responsibility to select your Mayor Pro Tempore,” he said. “I ask that you remove Councilwoman Fiore from this position immediately. There is no place within Las Vegas City Hall, or anywhere in our great country, for this type of divisiveness, especially from a person in a leadership position.” 

Fiore did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Goodman responded to Crear’s letter with a screenshot statement on Twitter. 

“I have received Councilman Crear’s letter and I am considering all the information related to this situation,” Goodman wrote. “I am taking this very seriously and it is my understanding that there is an ongoing investigation into what occurred at the County Republican Convention. Every member of the City Council is very important to me and the City of Las Vegas.” 

Members of “Expel Michele,” a committee seeking to remove Fiore from office, on Thursday submitted a notice of intent to circulate a recall petition.

My letter to Mayor Goodman requesting Councilwoman Fiore be removed from the position of Mayor Pro Tempore. “There is no place within Las Vegas City Hall, or anywhere in our great country, for this type of divisiveness, especially from a person in a leadership position.” pic.twitter.com/ngMQcKPV7u

— Councilman Cedric Crear (@CouncilmanCrear) June 11, 2020