Dozens of people from the community rallied in front of Average Joes Tuesday night where the Windsor Minor Hockey Association held its Annual General Meeting chaired by reinstated President Dean Lapierre.
Lapierre was suspended eight weeks ago after making misogynistic comments on his Facebook page regarding the Women's March in Washington. Since that time, he says he has spoken to professionals and come to the realization that everyone deserves to be "treated with respect" whether on social media or in person.
Many in the community, like Pat Papadeas say it's not enough and Lapierre has no place in a leadership role for a children's sports organization.
"He appears to have a fundamental disrespect for women and this is not someone who should be in a leadership role of a minor hockey organization or any sports organization in our community that has both boys and girls," says Papadeas.
Lapierre read a short apology letter at the end of the AGM calling his comments "totally inappropriate."He apologized for any hurt he caused and says he has "taken steps to correct [his] behaviour." Click here for a full transcript of his apology letter.
Lapierre or any other representative of the Windsor Minor Hockey Association would not speak to media following the meeting Tuesday night.
