By Dan Murphy
A Facebook post last week by Yonkers small businessman and democratic political leader John Khader drew a harsh response from local gun safety —organizations including Mom’s Demand Action, and have now landed in the middle of the race for Yonkers City Court.
On June 2, John Khader posted a photo of a gun with bullets, and commented “unconfirmed reports of protestors/rioters in my hood ready for anything…
One organization that spoke out against Khader’s comments, was Mom’s Demand Action, an organization founded after the Sandy Hook shootings working to pass stronger gun laws and work to close the loopholes that jeopardize the safety of our families. Their website also states, “We also work in our own communities and with business leaders to encourage a culture of responsible gun ownership.”
Barry Graubart, a member of Mom’s Demand Action in New York, responded to Khader’s post, writing, “I was appalled to see this post on Facebook and Instagram today, threatening protesters with violence with what appears to be a short-barreled pistol-grip pump-action shotgun. These weapons are often referred to colloquially as a “zombie killer”.
“The photo was posted under the account “Johnny Limo”, which belongs to John Khader, MPAC founder and owner of Top Class Limo in Yonkers. Gun violence may be a joke to John Khader, but to many of us in Westchester, it’s a reality that has taken too many lives. And in the current environment, with people protesting for racial justice, with increasing domestic violence, gun violence is no laughing matter,” said Graubart, who asked Westchester DA Anthony Scarpino to disavow Khader from his campaign and cancel a fundraiser scheduled with Khader.
Scarpino issued a comment which read, “I became aware of a disturbing Facebook post by one of my supporters tonight. Upon learning about this post, I immediately cancelled an upcoming event that this individual had planned in support of my campaign. In no uncertain terms, I condemn this post and the message it sends, particularly in this painful time. I stand strongly in support of those protesting against systemic racism and police brutality and commit the full force of my office to fight for positive change on behalf of people of color in Westchester.”
Shortly after Scarpino condemned the post, the same call was made to Yonkers City Court candidate Dan Romano to do the same. Romano, who is running in a Democratic Primary June 23, is seen photographed on Facebook with John Khader. Last week, Delfim Heusler, Editor of the online media site Yonkers Insider, posted information he found at the Board of Elections that Khader was paid $2,500 from the Romano campaign.
Now, more than 10 days after the incident, and still no comment from the Romano campaign.
Yonkers Democratic Chair Tom Meier, said, “We have a responsibility to be careful about what we post and what we say. I tell my friends and family that all the time. What you post online will be there forever. But it doesn’t make us bad people.”
We spoke to John Khader, and reiterated to him what we now write in this story. He is a political figure in the City of Yonkers, not because of his family relations, but because of the fact that he founded a political organization, MPAC, the Mediterranean Political Action Committee, MPAC, which has given a voice to those who didn’t have one. He is also active in Democratic politics not only in Yonkers but across Westchester. People will listen and take note of what he says, and posts.
John Khader said, “My post was in no way intended to promote violence. I overacted when I heard that there might be looting going close to my neighborhood. But I did it to protect myself and my family.”
Catherine Schowalter, a member of Mom’s Demand Action in Westchester, said that, “It was the wrong thing to post. The 2nd Amendment gives the right to have a licensed gun in your house, but it shouldn’t be used as a threat to others.”
Romano is running in a Democratic Primary for Yonkers City Court Judge. Five candidates are running for three seats on the bench. Three candidates have been endorsed by the Yonkers Democratic Party and are running as a team. They are Judge Tom Daly, Judge Brendan McGrath and attorney Verris Shako. Adminstrative Law Judge Karen Best rounds out the field. Early voting begins June 13.
