NAACP head calls for Philly DA to resign

The head of a civil rights group is calling for Philadelphia’s district attorney, who is under indictment on federal corruption charges, to resign.

Rodney Muhammad, who leads the Philadelphia NAACP branch, said Seth Williams cannot be effective in his job with a suspended law license. Williams has said he will stay in the $175,000-a-year post in an administrative role

“He can’t be effective only working administratively, working out of an office representing the end of the arrest process,” Muhammad said Tuesday during a demonstration. “It damages the city’s approach to public safety, and it’s in the best interest of the city and all concerned that he leave office.”

Muhammad said he’s upset Williams is not prosecuting a laundromat owner who shot at a fleeing robber.

“This is just one of the areas of administration were Seth Williams is missing in action. That says to us he can’t effectively run this office now,” he said.

Meanwhile, former Philadelphia District Attorney Lynne Abraham and attorney Richard Sprague filed suit in an effort to have Williams removed from office as he fights the bribery and extortion charges.

He is accused of taking more than $100,000 in cash and gifts from two businessmen in exchange for favors. The two-term Democrat has said he got into financial problems after a divorce.

Cameron Kline, a spokesman for the district attorney’s office, said Tuesday Williams had no comment on the call for his resignation from the groups that including the Philadelphia National Action Network, Black Lives Matter Philadelphia, the MOVE organization.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.