Lets Talk
By: Tommy “Tj” Sotomayor

PORTSMOUTH, VA – Portsmouth Councilwoman Lisa Lucas-Burke has gone viral for exploding during the City’s May 24 city council meeting after her colleagues voted 4-3 to fire its now former City Manager Angel Jones.

“She got a lot on this council, and that’s why they want to get rid of her. And I hope that y’all [are] seeing what’s happening, and I hope you make your decision when November comes,” Lucas-Burke said. “I’m pissed that the [expletive]…. yeah, I’ma say it. I’m mad as a [expletive], I am. Because I know what’s been

The firing came on Delta Day, which honors a predominantly Black female sorority that both Lucas-Burke and Jones are members of.

“Why would you choose this day to make a mockery of women,” said Lucas-Burke.

The audience was full of her sorority sisters who cheered her on as Burke chided the “male-led” council who she alleges are charging “$3,000” in exchange for their vote.

PORTSMOUTH, Va. – Portsmouth City Councilwoman Lisa Lucas-Burke is responding to criticism of the language she used during a heated council meeting earlier this week.

Tuesday night, council members voted 4-3 to remove Angel Jones from her role as city manager.

Suggesting Jones had something on certain members trying to oust her, Lucas-Burke was one of the council members outraged over Jones’s firing.

“She got a lot on this council, and that’s why they want to get rid of her. And I hope that y’all [are] seeing what’s happening, and I hope you make your decision when November comes,” Lucas-Burke said after the vote Tuesday night. “I’m pissed that the [expletive]…. yeah, I’ma say it. I’m mad as a [expletive], I am. Because I know what’s been going on.”

Saturday, the councilwoman said she’s “been told I owe an apology for the language” she used during the meeting, but is apologizing “for not saying it sooner.”

I’ve been told I owe an apology for the language I used this week. I agree.

I apologize for not saying it sooner. https://t.co/x6GjuDA5t3

— llburke (@llburke2) May 28, 2022

Portsmouth Mayor Shannon Glover was one of the four council members who voted in support of Jones. He told News 3 that the council is divided.

“Let me be clear – Angel Jones did not deserve this treatment. It is totally out of order for four members of council to unilaterally make a decision about the future of our city manager without conferring with the other three members,” Glover told News 3 reporter Leondra Head.

On the contrary, Vice Mayor De’Andre Barnes explained his vote to remove Jones from her position, saying she didn’t do enough to tackle crime in the city.