NAACP branch in Arizona accepts leader's resignation

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - The president of the Maricopa County NAACP has officially stepped down from his post. Don Harris was surrounded by a firestorm of controversy following a sexist and offensive remark he made about a Phoenix television reporter.

The remark was captured on the audio recording of another reporter who was standing nearby at the time.

The board meeting only lasted about an hour. In the end, a letter was handed to the media, saying Harris had resigned.

"I have nothing to say to you folks tonight," said Harris while dodging questions from reporters while walking into a special board meeting to discuss his future on the board.

"I have an organization that fights for civil rights, that's what it's all about," he said.

This whole ordeal all stemmed from an incident last week when the NAACP was holding a meeting to talk about the incident in which a number of Desert Vista High School students spelled out the n-word in a photo.

After the meeting, a female TV reporter had just finished interviewing Harris when he made an offensive and sexist comment about her to another reporter, who just so happened to be recording the audio. Since then, there has been a firestorm. Many calling for Harris' resignation, while others say it was just a dumb mistake.

After only an hour Monday evening, the board had come to their decision.

"The executive committee has voted to accept Mr. Don Harris' resignation," said Benjamin Taylor, an attorney and NAACP board member.

"I love the NAACP. It's been my life and will continue to be my life," said Harris.

When asked what is he going to do now, Harris replied, "I'm going to die. I'm 78 years old."

It's expected that the now Vice President will step in for the role Harris once held,

Statement from the NAACP:

The Maricopa County Brand NAACP continues to work on issues that are paramount to our community. The mission of the NAACP is to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights of all persons. The Executive Committee has voted today to accept Mr. Don Harris's resignation.