Expelled OU SAE Student, Black Civic Leaders Address The Media

The expelled OU student and member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, caught on camera leading a racist chant, spoke out to members of the media for the first time since the incident.

Levi Pettit, along with Sen. Anastasia Pittman, D-Dist. 48, chairperson of the Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus and other black civic leaders addressed the media at the Fairview Baptist Church at 4 p.m. on Wednesday.

Pettit's comments were brief and contrite. He said it took this much time for him to come forward because, before he would apologize to the country and the press, he first wanted to apologize to the Oklahoma black community.

Pettit reached out to Pittman privately to apologize for the events that had transpired. Pittman then arranged for Petit to meet with other black civic leaders ahead of the news conference.

During his apology, Pettit read from a letter he sent to OU President David Boren. He went on to say that his meeting with the community leaders and his apology would not change what he had done, but said he now had a better understanding of the hateful nature of the word and would spend the rest of his life fighting against racism.

When asked, Pettit said he would not answer question regarding where he learned and who taught him the racist chant.

News 9's Justin Dougherty will have more on the press conference tonight at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.!