LEWISTON – While some city councilors questioned Mayor Larry Raymond’s absence from last weekend’s diversity rally, none said they would encourage him to resign.

“He is the legally elected mayor, and he is in that job until he decides he can no longer handle it,” said Councilor Lillian O’Brien. “The voters put him there, and I have no business telling him to resign.”

Raymond touched off a controversy last fall when he asked Somalis to slow their migration to Lewiston, saying the city’s resources were “maxed-out.” About 1,100 Somalis have moved to the city in the last two years from other cities in the United States.

Raymond has said he could not apologize for what he felt was a reasonable request to slow down the influx. But he has said he was sorry for any misunderstanding and that he does not condone any mistreatment of the newcomers.

The city has been targeted by white supremacist groups in the furor that followed Raymond’s letter.

One, the World Church of the Creator, held a gathering Saturday that drew about 30 attendees inside and more than 200 protesters from both sides outside the armory where it was held. At least 4,000 people attended a pro-diversity event held in response a few miles away at Bates College.

Raymond’s absence at the diversity rally was noted by many. Some attendees had signs that asked, “Where is the mayor?” and some wore stickers that declared “Nobody loves Raymond.”

The newly formed Lewiston chapter of the Somali Justice Advocacy Center has called for Raymond’s resignation. The group cited his letter, his refusal to apologize and his absence “during a time of crisis.”

Raymond left Saturday for a two-week vacation in Florida. He issued a statement through his law firm that said he would not discuss the rally or calls for his resignation until he returned.

Councilors Norm Rousseau and Roger Philippon acknowledged they had their differences with Raymond but said they wouldn’t call on him to step down.

“That’s up to him, to decide what he wants to do,” Rousseau said. “Larry Raymond needs to search his soul and decide what he needs to do.”

Philippon said he strongly supports Raymond and that although he disagreed with his letter, the two have come to an understanding.

Philippon said he does not think residents want Raymond to quit. During the diversity rally, the call for Raymond’s resignation was met with a lukewarm response, he said.

“That wasn’t the point of the gathering. We were there, joined together for a nonpolitical event and to show support for the Somalis,” Philippon said.

City Council President Renee Bernier would not comment on the call for Raymond’s resignation before speaking with Somali residents.

“I have not met with the local Somali community to see if this is a group of local people calling for his resignation, or if it’s a group from outside,” Bernier said. “Until I do that, it would be unfair to comment.”

Councilor Mark Paradis also declined to comment.

But Councilor Ron Jean said he supports the mayor completely and that there was no need for Raymond to be present.

“The city was in capable hands,” Jean said.