Krewson, a Democrat, read out the details during a live clip last week, which has since been deleted, when she was asked during a question and answer session about having met with Missouri demonstrators. The mayor has since apologized.
She started out by suggesting the talks outside of the St. Louis City Hall had not gone well: “The conversation wasn’t really a two-way conversation, I’ll be honest with you, because there was a very loud response from the demonstrators.”
However, she said some of those in attendance gave her some papers with their thoughts written down, which she proceeded to get from her desk and read aloud.
Krewson outlined areas where protesters had said they wanted money to go, then stating they had said zero to police, before reading out names and addresses.
Towards the end of the video, she said: “We’re not going to take all the money from the police, I think we need our police department.”
This was swiftly criticized, with two St. Louis Board of Aldermen members expressing concern.
Alderwoman Megan Ellyia Green, also a Democrat, tweeted: “Hey @LydaKrewson. So not cool to doxx my constituents who support #DefundThePolice on your FB live today. It’s a move designed to silence dissent, and it’s dangerous.”
Doxing means finding and then publishing to the internet private, personal information about someone without their permission. Often this information identifies them and where they live or work.
Cara Spencer, who is running for mayor, tweeted: “No leader should resort to intimidation of the residents they were elected to represent. Period.”
In a statement to Newsweek, she added: “No mayor should respond to dissent with intimidation. It’s our job as elected officials to face the city’s challenges, acknowledging that different perspectives and new ideas are part of the solution, not the problem. The city is talking. We need a mayor who will listen, not wage war with those who disagree.”
ACLU of Missouri also condemned the action, saying it was “intimidation pure and simple.”
“To be clear, it is shocking and misguided for Mayor Lyda Krewson of St. Louis, to broadcast the addresses of those who dare to express a different viewpoint on an issue of public concern,” the civil rights group said in a statement.
“It serves no apparent purpose other than intimidation. We are stronger when we foster open dialogue. The chilling of debate should bother everyone, no matter whether they agree or disagree with the mayor on this particular issue.”
Krewson has apologized for the incident, stating she did not mean to cause harm.
“I’d like to apologize for identifying individuals who presented letters to me at City Hall today,” Krewson tweeted. “This was during one of my Facebook updates as I was answering routine questions. Never did I intend to harm anyone or cause distress. The update is removed and again, I apologize.”
The apology has not deterred signatories from adding their names to a petition titled “Demand the Resignation of Mayor Lyda Krewson.”
It claims she “directly endangered the lives of protesters by releasing their names and addresses.”
The petition adds: “To alleviate community relations we demand that Mayor Krewson resign from office and a special election be held to replace her. She is unfit for office and St. Louis needs real leadership now!”
At the time of writing it had generated 44,700 signatures.
There were also protests held following the incident, with a group marching to Krewson’s home, demanding her resignation.
Newsweek has contacted the St. Louis Mayor’s Office for comment.
Update: Further comment from Cara Spencer was added to this article on 06/30/2020.
