ATWATER, Calif. — City Councilman Gary Frago, who sent a series of racist e-mails to city staff and others in late 2008 and early 2009, resigned his position as mayor pro tem Monday night and said he has begun sensitivity training in the Bay Area.

"I will be stepping down immediately from my position as mayor pro tem," said Frago in a prepared statement that also called for "the healing to begin."

In the statement Frago said, "I can only move forward by starting to do right."

Calls for Frago's resignation, a public dressing down, a possible recall effort and now more protests have not moved the repentant councilman to resigned from the council.

Before Monday night's meeting began, a group of protesters held signs and chanted on city hall's steps for Frago's departure.

Jeff Freitas, a member of Change Merced, which helped organize the protest, said that his group will keep the pressure on Frago and the city until things really change. Thus far, he said, the city's actions have been weak.

"Their actions have not been adequate to address the problem," he said.

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