KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Community leaders are asking for an apology from Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser after City Manager Wayne Cauthen was ousted.

Last week the City Council voted for Cauthen's suspension and on Wednesday city leaders and several ministers voiced their disapproval.

"There were civil rights issues going on on the sixth floor and civil wrong issues on the 24th floor," said Alvin Brooks.

The former mayor pro tem was referring to Funkhouser and certain council members who voted for the suspension.

Ministers expressed their outrage with Funkhouser and the City Council and said the public wants an explanation.

"What is always legal is not always right," said the Rev. Wallace Hartsfield.

The clergy members said they need more answers about what happened in the council chambers. They would like to know who changed their vote and their support.

The clergy believe Cauthen was improperly removed from his position. And unlike in the mayor's last attempt to oust Cauthen, they said there was no public hearing and some of the council members were blindsided by the vote, even though it was 7-6 in favor of removal.

While they are not asking for Cauthen to be reinstated as city manager, the group said they would like a public hearing. The ministers are asking for an apology from the City Council and the mayor.

Neither the mayor nor the City Council commented on Wednesday about the clergy members' request.