Editor’s note:Village Voice Media executive editor issued this apology earlier this week to the local branch of the Society of Professional Journalists following the reaction to his comments at an awards banquet last week.

It is understandable that my comments about a dead colleague rankled listeners. My words, meant to honor a dead friend, were inappropriate. All present have my sincere apology. It is regrettable that any phrase of mine offended those attending a First Amendment awards banquet. We accepted these honors on the 40th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s assassination. It is a sorry affair indeed that I should detract from the ongoing civil rights struggle that continues to unfold on streets Valleywide.