Deltona, FL - The West Volusia chapter of the NAACP is calling for the immediate resignation of a Deltona city commissioner with alleged ties to the Oath Keepers, an anti-government militia organization.
It was on October 18 at a city commission meeting that the NAACP-West Volusia president, Sean King, addressed the council and requested the immediate resignation of District 1 Commissioner Loren King.
According to the NAACP, King refused to acknowledge problems associated with his membership in the Oath Keepers organization and said he will not be removed from office. The NAACP added King stated in an October 21 interview with Fox 35 Orlando that he was aware of illegal activities performed by the Oath Keepers and failed to notify authorities.
King was elected to the District 1 seat in November 2018. On the webpage discussing his employment with Deltona, the Oath Keepers were listed as one of the organizations King is an active member of. The same page also states that King is a member of ACT! For America, an anti-Muslim advocate group based in Virginia Beach.
Per the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), the Oath Keepers are a Las Vegas-based far-right anti-government organization with tens of thousands of present and former law enforcement officials and military veterans currently enrolled as members.
The group gained notoriety throughout the years for its appearances during protests in 2014, 2015 and 2020, and when business owners reopened against COVID-19 public health safety measures in 2020. At least nine Oath Keepers members have been arrested as part of the ongoing investigation into the January 6 riot at the United States Capitol.
The NAACP has created a petition that calls for King’s immediate resignation. It’s not clear how many individuals have signed. The petition is destined for the city commission of Deltona, and the office of Governor Ron DeSantis.
News Daytona Beach has reached out to Loren King and NAACP-WV President Sean King for comment. We have yet to receive a response from either.
