The following is a press release issued by the City of Fort Bragg:
We, your mayor and vice mayor of Fort Bragg, CA, denounce the recent violence taking place in our country. Peaceful transfer of elected leadership is a core tenet of our democracy. As public officials, our oath is to protect the constitution against enemies both foreign and domestic. The attack on our capital was a direct assault on our democratic process and the constitution of the United States of America.
We recognize that our small community embodies a broad range of perspectives. The First Amendment is a bedrock value of this country that ensures everyone’s right to freedom of speech and to peaceably assemble. “Peaceably” is the operative word. In light of what happened in D.C. we, your mayor and vice mayor, denounce any form of violence. Committing a crime to make your point should never be the answer and we ask everyone, regardless of their personal politics, to choose peace over violence. Choose to look out for our community, your neighbor or even a stranger. Choose to make our community better.
As Dr. King taught us, a great nation is a compassionate nation. Let us take that notion to heart as we address our neighbors and seek to heal our community’s and nation’s divides.
Bernie Norvell Jessica Morsell-Haye
Mayor Vice Mayor
