SPOKANE, Wash. -- The civil rights community in Spokane is trying to move forward after days of controversy surrounding their NAACP leader, Rachel Dolezal.
Dolezal resigned Monday in response to allegations she'd been lying about being black.
"It is with complete allegiance to the cause of racial and social justice and the NAACP that I step aside from the Presidency and pass the baton to my Vice President, Naima Quarles-Burnley," Dolezal wrote in a statement published on the Spokane NAACP Facebook page. "Please know I will never stop fighting for human rights and will do everything in my power to help and assist, whether it means stepping up or stepping down, because this is not about me."
Dolezal's resignation moves the focus away from the NAACP to Spokane City Hall where an investigation is now underway to determine whether she should also be removed from her position as Chair of the Police Ombudsman Commission.
The Spokane Ethics Commission is investigating whether she violated the city's code of ethics when she represented herself as black on an application for the position.
It states in part, "No City officer... shall commit any act of moral turpitude or dishonesty relating to his or her duties or position as a City officer... or arising from business with the City."
"It is frustrating, no doubt about it," said Brian Coddington, Spokane city spokesman. "We worked really hard to be transparent. So, any time you have a question, that is a distraction. So that has been really disappointing to have this misstep. It sets us back."
Eastern Washington University has also yet to renew its recently expired contract with Dolezal. She had been a part time professor there, but her profile has now been wiped from the university website.
As for the community, Monday evening was about healing.
A close-knit group of about a dozen city activists gathered together at a popular downtown restaurant.
It was a subtle statement of unity from the people behind Spokane's civil rights movement, a group who's not letting the actions of their former leader leave them divided.
"It was a shocker to everybody," said Kitara McClure. "But we aren't going to talk about it, not tonight, no more."
"I think an apology would help, but ultimately I think we are always ready to forgive," said Blaine Stum, Chair of the Spokane City Human Rights Commission.
Minutes before the dinner gathering, that same group had rallied outside the NAACP Spokane Office.
"Help us to let go of all of the hurt," McClure had prayed.
"I think our community can use a lot of healing," said Angela Bernawebster, a NAACP member. "It's confused and hurting."
The gathering was a cleansing of sorts and an opportunity for Spokane to publicly restate its values.
"We are ready!" chanted the group of a several dozen. "Integrity does matter!"
"My concern was cleaning up the mess," said Agnes Broncheau, a NAACP member.
There will be an emergency meeting Tuesday at City Hall to call on Dolezal to resign from her position as chair of the Police Ombudsman Commission.
The city could also decide to remove her once their investigation is complete.
The city didn't have a time frame for how long that investigation might take. In the meantime, Dolezal is being allowed to continue to serve in that position.
