Mayor of Somerville, Mass., refuses police request to remove Black Lives Matter banner at City Hall

[KamaAina]

http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20160721/mayor-of-somerville-mass-refuses-police-request-to-remove-black-lives-matter-banner-at-city-hall

The mayor of a Massachusetts city has denied a request from police officers that a Black Lives Matter banner be removed from City Hall and replaced with one that says "All Lives Matter."

The sign above the main entrance to Somerville City Hall has been in place for nearly a year.

Somerville Police Employees Association President Michael McGrath writes in a letter sent Tuesday to Mayor Joseph Curtatone that officers are "deeply troubled" the current banner remains. The letter says it's "inconceivable" and "demoralizing" that the banner remains, given recent attacks on police across the country.

Curtatone denied the request, saying in a statement that his "unwavering support for our police officers does not and cannot preempt our commitment to addressing systemic racism in our nation."

[merrily]

1. Yup. Given the unity among first responders and many other things, this is a consequential step,

as well as a controversial step. I don't live in Somerville, but I am very proud of him.

Another Mayor of Somerville is now one of my favorite reps, Mike Capuano, who voted against both the Iraq War and the Patriot Act. Sadly, he lost the special election primary to Martha Coakley, who then practically gifted Ted Kennedy's seat to Scott Brown.

I admire them both.