Massachusetts Cops Ask Mayor to Take Down Black Lives Matter Sign — Here’s His Response


Massachusetts Cops Ask Mayor to Take Down Black Lives Matter Sign — Here’s His Response

Jul. 21, 2016 10:45am Editor’s Note:Story by the Associated Press; curated by Jon Street.

SOMERVILLE, Mass. (AP) — 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.

Letter to Mayor






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.”