As mayors of cities in North Carolina, we have come together to express our abhorrence of the horrific murder of George Floyd, an act of unspeakable violence, cold inhumanity and racism.
The photographic evidence of this act speaks for itself. Mr. Floyd was suffocated to death by a Minneapolis police officer while pleading for his life as three other officers knelt or stood by and did nothing to help him, even as he called out, “I can’t breathe.”
As a society, we cannot tolerate this kind of police violence rooted in systemic racism. As mayors, we work closely with the police leadership in our cities, and we know that they also will not tolerate this kind of police violence and racism within their forces. Such acts not only harm innocent people, but they also deeply erode trust in our police forces, despite the good work of so many officers every day—officers who themselves abhor the racism and violence so evident in the death of George Floyd.
Our hearts go out to Mr. Floyd and his family. We support Mayor Jacob Frey of Minneapolis in his call for justice and accountability. We expect a full and fair trial of the police officers involved. We also support the rights of those who are peacefully protesting and honoring the memory of George Floyd and countless others that have been victims of systemic racism and police violence.
Let’s work together to ensure that protests remain peaceful and stay focused on building equitable and just cities for all in North Carolina. And we pledge to make every effort within our power to fight systemic racism within our police forces, cities and this nation.
Pictured at the top of the article is Highlands Mayor Pat Taylor speaking at a Memorial Day ceremony. Taylor is 1 of 100 mayors throughout the state of North Carolina to sign this statement.
Mayor Steve Schewel, Durham
Mayor Mary Ann Baldwin, Raleigh
Mayor Vi Lyles, Charlotte
Mayor Nancy Vaughan, Greensboro
Mayor Allen Joines, Winston-Salem
Mayor Mitch Colvin, Fayetteville
Mayor Esther Manheimer, Asheville
Mayor Bill Saffo, Wilmington
Mayor Ian Baltutis, Burlington
Mayor Pam Hemminger, Chapel Hill
Mayor Lydia Lavelle, Carrboro
Mayor Jenn Weaver, Hillsborough
Mayor Dontario Hardy, Kinston
Mayor TJ Cawley, Morrisville
Mayor Karen Alexander, Salisbury
Mayor Bill Dusch, Concord
Mayor Miles Atkins, Mooresville
Mayor Harold Weinbrecht, Cary
Mayor John Byrne, Fuquay-Varina
Mayor Costi Kutteh, Statesville
Mayor Bob Scott, Franklin
Mayor Chuck Allen, Goldsboro
Mayor Carlton Stevens, Wilson
Mayor Walker Reid, Gastonia
Mayor Hank Guess, Hickory
Mayor Jay Wagner, High Point
Mayor Sandy Roberson, Rocky Mount
Mayor Jay Donecker, Reidsville
Mayor Rennie Brantz, Boone
Mayor John Higdon, Matthews
Mayor Harry Baughn, Hayesville
Mayor Terry Mann, Whiteville
Mayor Jackie Sergent, Oxford
Mayor Patrick Taylor, Highlands
Mayor Mary Hughes O’Brien, Star
Mayor Walt Eccard, Shallotte
Mayor Fred Yates, Winfall
Mayor Winfred Hill Murphy, Garland
Mayor Darrell Hinnant, Kannapolis
Mayor Jerry Medlin, Benson
Mayor Lynda Sossamon, Sylva
Mayor Gloristine Brown, Bethel
Mayor Weyling White, Ahoskie
Mayor Robert Johnson, North Wilkesboro
Mayor Ed Hatley, Lincolnton
Mayor Gary McClure, Rutherford College
Mayor Ben Cahoon, Nags Head
Mayor Brenda Lyerly, Banner Elk
Mayor Bobby Kilgore, Monroe
Mayor Zeb Smathers, Canton
Mayor Steve Little, Marion
Mayor Bobby Wheeler, Creedmoor
Mayor Ronnie Michael, Albemarle
Mayor Jody L. McLeod, Clayton
Mayor Joyce Whichard-Brown, Williamston
Mayor Tina Brown, Robersonville
Mayor Bettie Parker, Elizabeth City
Mayor Don Kington, Duck
Mayor Casey Dover, Stem
Mayor Johnny Berry, Connelly Springs
Mayor Terry Turner, Butner
Mayor Brenda Bozeman, Leland
Mayor Ronnie Currin, Rolesville
Mayor Coley Hunt Rhodes, Stantonsburg
Mayor Newell Clark, Lexington
Mayor Bob Matheny, Zebulon
Mayor James Roberson, Knightdale
Mayor Ken Marshburn, Garner
Mayor Vivian Jones, Wake Forest
Mayor Virginia Gray, Wendell
Mayor Lenny Williams, Gibsonville
Mayor Ed Hooks, Mebane
Mayor David Smith, Asheboro
Mayor Jerry Peterman, Graham
Mayor Tracy Rodes, Webster
Mayor Barbara Mallett, East Spencer
Mayor G. Scott Neisler, Kings Mountain
Mayor Victor Varela, Ronda
Mayor Kelly Allen, Haw River
Mayor Dana Outlaw, New Bern
Mayor Chet Mann, Sanford
Mayor PJ Connelly, Greenville
Mayor Steve Sciascia, Harrisburg
Mayor Raleigh York, Thomasville
Mayor Bryan Hough, Mount Holly
All 100 are correct in criticizing the cruel treatment of “George” and to support “peaceful” protest but all 100 said nothing about the looting, damage, personal attacks, bottles and rocks thrown, fires started, cars burned and neighborhoods reduced to rubble. This is NOT peaceful protest! Most of these “protestors” were paid and eager to wreak havoc following weeks of unemployment caused by Covid 19’s “shelter in place” and business closings.
Bus loads of out of town folks mingled with carloads of out of state cars to swell the rioting crowds supporting the agendas of others, not the anger of the viewed mistreatment by this officer who was guilty of many incidents of mistreatment he was not punished or fired for.
If the Minneapolis police Chief and Mayor had done their jobs George would be alive.
Now this convicted fellon with a long criminal record is being compared to MLK; now that’s an injustice. Pray for a peaceful resolution and a restoration of common sense.