“The Austin Symphony Orchestra has issued a public apology after one of its trombonists made racist comments online,” writes Rosie Pentreath in Monday’s (6/1) Classic FM (U.K.). “Principal trombonist Brenda Sansig Salas—since terminated from her position in the orchestra—made racist remarks in a post and comments around the protests happening throughout America in response to the death of black man George Floyd on 25 May. Floyd was killed in custody by white policeman … Floyd’s death has sparked protests, looting and fires around the country … ‘Trump didn’t kill someone, but in your black minds, everything is his fault,’ ” Sansig Salas wrote in her social media, in comments that have since been deleted. “She goes on to criticize ‘1/2 black president’ Obama, seeming to suggest … that his presidency was the cause of Swine Flu and Ebola…. ‘This language is not reflective of who we are as an organization,’ the orchestra … wrote on Twitter [and Facebook] on Sunday morning. ‘The ASO is committed to being an inclusive organization as well as provide a safe space for all…. We were appalled by the comments … We began to work … with the American Federation of Musicians, our Orchestra Committee, staff and other key members. At this time we can state that the musician is no longer employed by the ASO, for there is no place for hate within our organization.’ ”
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