Grosse Pointe Shores councilman under scrutiny over Facebook posts

GROSSE POINTE SHORES, Mich. (WJBK) - A Grosse Pointe Shores councilman is under scrutiny over some photo posts that were shared from his social media.

Progress Michigan wants Seely to resign after discovering a trio of Facebook posts it calls "disgusting and dehumanizing." The most recent post under question seemingly mocks Christine Blasey Ford, the woman accusing Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her when they were in high school. The meme reads, "I'm so sorry that bad man touched you inappropriately. Let's wait 30 or 40 years until he runs for office...against a Democrat!" 

"Going back 40 years, for political purpose, really doesn't help address the MeToo movement or help women who have legitimate claims of sexual harassment or abuse," Seely told us.

"So, you're suggesting Ms. Ford does not have a legitimate claim that she was sexually assaulted?" we asked. 

"I'm not sure; I'm sure it will come out in the hearings," Seely responded.

But Progress Michigan says Seely has a habit of posting memes that objectify women and make light of sexual assault allegations.

"This is a situation where you have a city councilman, a public official, someone who's supposed to represent the people and his community, and he's making light of very serious crimes: rape and sexual assault. These are things that [we] need to combat, not joke about," says Sam Inglot with Progress Michigan. 

"In all fairness, it's not my meme. It's just something that I shared," Seely said, when asked if he could have conveyed his point in a different way. "It's just unfortunate that we're at this point in history where everything has become tribal and everything has become political, and people aren't given the benefit of the doubt. I think anyone who knows me from my community knows my heart."

It should be mentioned that Progress Michigan is a left-leaning political organization, and that Seely is a Republican. 

"Basically, if it weren't for my heavy involvement in the Trump campaign, and my heavy involvement in the Republican party, no one would be calling for my resignation," Seely added.

Seely reiterated to us that he believes the Me Too movement is necessary and long overdue, in so many words, but also believes there needs to be due process for the accused while also taking seriously the claims of the accuser.