Thread by @TexasTribune

1/ The lone black city council member in a conservative suburb north of Dallas asked his colleagues to declare a “black state of emergency” after two North Texans died at the hands of police officers.

Now his job is on the line. bit.ly/302UQb5

2/ La’Shadion Shemwell has been a controversial figure in McKinney for much of his term, thanks to brushes with the law and comments he made about the city’s police after he was arrested during a traffic stop in May 2018. bit.ly/302UQb5

3/ The petition to recall him that began after he pushed for the emergency proclamation has more than 3,000 signatures, including from the city’s mayor and three members of the City Council. bit.ly/302UQb5

4/ During today's City Council meeting, members will receive a report from the city secretary on the signatures.

If they're validated, as expected, Shemwell will have five days to resign voluntarily. If he doesn't that will trigger a recall election. bit.ly/302UQb5

5/ Shemwell has maintained the recall effort is racially motivated, and his supporters say “the city has ignored an opportunity to have a conversation about racism in McKinney.” bit.ly/302UQb5

6/ Meanwhile, his detractors say he’s made a long list of incendiary or “crazy” comments while in office. bit.ly/302UQb5

7/ This isn't the first time the city has been in the spotlight for its handling of race-related issues.

In 2015 protests erupted in response to police action at a pool party, where an officer was shown on video throwing a 15-year-old girl to the ground. bit.ly/302UQb5

8/8 McKinney residents will vote in May on whether Shemwell can remain in office if the signatures are validated at tonight’s meeting and he doesn’t resign within five days. More here: bit.ly/302UQb5