VML stands with our communities and looks forward to the discussions that our legislative and policy committees will have this summer, discussions that will certainly be shaped by the historic events and actions of the past few weeks. In the meantime, it is heartening to read what our communities and national partners are communicating to their residents and members.
City of Falls Church Mayor, Vice Mayor, City Council and City Manager of the City of Falls Church on local government’s role:
“Our elected officials, our city staff, and those who are responsible for the protection and safety of our residents have an obligation to stand up for the rights of all people. We affirm the foundational importance of the rule of law and decry violence in all its forms. We will continue to listen and lead as we all heal together and move from division to unity in the coming days.”
Read the full statement, as well as statements from other city officials and staff, here >
Read the full statement, as well as statements from other city officials and staff, here >
Prince William County Board of Supervisor member on creating a Cultural Diversity Commission:
“We need to be there to listen. We need to dig deeper to understand race issues from people who’ve lived it…It’s important to gain a deeper understanding of these issues…We need to dive in on this, because I think that’s where we’ve messed up as a country.”
Read the full story by Emily Sides from InsideNoVa.com here >
Read the full story by Emily Sides from InsideNoVa.com here >
City of Alexandria Chief of Police on adapting to change:
“The Alexandria Police Department has worked extremely hard for a long time to become a professional policing agency and has been recognized as such for a number of years. Yet, we also know we can always improve and must be receptive to making changes that make sense for us and the community.”
Read the full statement here >
Read the full statement here >
City of Charlottesville Mayor on wrongful devaluation:
“There is nothing just about the devaluation America has placed on Black Lives and the constant danger it puts us in. To my Black people: I see you. I grieve with you. I breathe fear with you. And I will continue to fight for us and demand that white America stop murdering, stealing, and restricting our breaths.”
Read the full statement here >
Read the full statement here >
City of Chesapeake statement on taking ownership for actions:
“We make mistakes, we do things we wish we hadn’t, we say things we’d like to take back. The difference is, we take responsibility for our actions, we own the issues, and we try constantly to learn from today so tomorrow will be better.”
Read the full message here >
Read the full message here >
City of Richmond Mayor on changing hearts and minds:
“Yes, we must interrogate and condemn the America that treats Black lives as expendable, whether at the hands of the police or the coronavirus. But it is not enough to believe, this is all about changing hearts and minds…It is the responsibility of us all – no matter our race or station – to question and transform institutions predicated on racism, and to do so with love in our hearts and the names of our lost brothers and sisters on our lips.”
Read the message here >
Read the message here >
City of Williamsburg City Council about moral obligations:
“We cannot afford to tolerate or turn a blind eye to these senseless acts of violence and discrimination. Similarly, we must also fight against the less obvious, but no less insidious, behaviors that passively persecute others. Recent events reinforce the urgency for us, as a City Council and a City Government, to recommit to our core values and mission.”
Read the full statement here >
Read the full statement here >
City of Hampton Chief of Police on building trust:
“The death of George Floyd is certain to have a negative impact on the perception of police in Hampton as well. Thus, we will continue to work relentlessly to maintain and develop relationships, build trust, and partnerships with our community. The Hampton Police Division will continue to mandate the highest quality training in professional policing especially in de-escalation and critical incident management.”
Read the full statement >
Read the full statement >
City of Roanoke Mayor on eradicating excessive force:
“Together, representing the City Council, the Roanoke Police Department and the entire City organization, we state unequivocally that brutality by police in any circumstance is inappropriate and in conflict with what we value as an organization and a community.”
Read the full statement here >
Read the full statement here >
Statement on the events of June 10 in Portsmouth by Mayor John L. Rowe, Jr.
“Monuments Can Be Replaced – Lives Cannot”
We all mourn the horrific death of George Floyd, by police officers in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020. His death has re-awakened not only our nation, our state, our city — but also the whole world to the injustices of racism. We must change as a nation, a state and City — we must all work together to eliminate all aspects of racism.
Read the full statement >
We all mourn the horrific death of George Floyd, by police officers in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020. His death has re-awakened not only our nation, our state, our city — but also the whole world to the injustices of racism. We must change as a nation, a state and City — we must all work together to eliminate all aspects of racism.
Read the full statement >
The National League of Cities (NLC) on equity:
“Racial equity efforts at the city level are not just about policing. Local government policies, practices, and programs of all kinds can perpetuate existing racial disparities or help to dismantle them.”
Arlington County Board on striving to be better:
“The anger and grief currently on display in cities across the nation is not only a reaction to these acts of ultimate violence against Black Americans, but also to the systematic racism that pervades life, and access to opportunity, in our nation. We know that Arlington is not exempt from this racism and its impacts…As we mourn the death of George Floyd, we are also inspired to be better and do better.”
Read the full statement here >
Read the full statement here >
City of Fairfax Chief of Police on the future:
“We recognize that events involving law enforcement impact the reputation of all law enforcement officers, regardless of where the event occurs. We hope, and constantly strive, to maintain our community’s trust and support. We know this will take honest and open dialogue, unconventional partnerships, commitment, dedication, and a willingness to learn from the past. We must work together to build a future that strives for fairness, respect, dignity, security, and justice for all.”
Read the full statement here >
Read the full statement here >
City of Manassas Mayor and Council on shared purpose:
“We know that this has been an extremely emotional time for the entire country and that we have suffered as a community along with other communities across the United States. The Manassas City Council shares your grief for a country in turmoil. Our hope is for this strife to turn into conversations and change that will be the catalyst for a future without racial tensions or inequity…We are here to listen. We are here to help. We are here.”
Read the full message here >
Read the full message here >
