DEBARY, Fla. — DeBary city leaders said they believe the mayor was trying to incite a riot with a social media post.
They're making plans to step up security at a meeting to try to oust Mayor Clint Johnson.
Johnson said the last thing he was trying to do was incite violence when he tweeted a message saying, “There will be no justice, so let there be no peace.”
Johnson said he expects the City Council will boot him from office in the next few days.
Interim City Manager Ron McLemore released a statement accusing Johnson of making, "…an attempt to incite a riot, intimidate members of the public (and create) fear of physical harm."
"That just shows the lack of integrity in their complaints, and it also shows how ridiculously they've interpreting my words,” Johnson said.
McLemore pointed out another post on Johnson's twitter page where he called on people to "purchase, practice and carry a firearm."
Johnson talked with Channel 9 reporter Mike Manzoni on the phone Thursday while at a conference in South Florida.
"I'm simply promoting civil discourse. It's the very thing that this country was founded on,” Johnson said.
In May, the City Council accused Johnson of withholding public documents, and later accused him of ordering around city employees and trying to fire city employees who report to the city manager.
"It's an obvious attempt to try and marginalize and disenfranchise the residents from attending this meeting,” Johnson said. “They don't want to have to face the people of the city because they know that what they're doing is ridiculous."
Manzoni contacted McLemore, but never heard back.
The meeting is set for next Wednesday at 6 p.m.