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By SCOTT MIMS / Staff Writer

Mayors of cities and towns in Shelby County have released a collective statement supporting peace and racial equality in the wake of nationwide protests following the death of George Floyd.

The statement reads as follows:

“Shelby County Mayors strongly support peace and reconciliation within our respective communities and across the nation. While we fully acknowledge we have differing political beliefs on some key topics, we are fully united in these shared commitments.

• Our shared commitment to racial equity.
• Our shared commitment to govern our communities fairly and without racial bias.
• Our shared commitment to ensure our police officers remain highly trained in the appropriate use of force.
• Our shared commitment to review and update our policies within the police department to ensure they are designed to maintain the safety of all.
• Our shared commitment to serve and protect our communities, especially those in our communities who have been generationally disenfranchised.
• Our shared commitment to support peaceful freedom of expression throughout our community.
• Our shared support of the safety of our police officers as well as our citizens.
• Our acknowledgement that while all lives do matter, the lives that feel threatened at this moment in our history are the Black Lives and that they certainly do matter to us.
• Our shared commitment to support our law enforcement officers who are committed to keeping the peace, adhering to established policies and procedures, serving and protecting our communities.

We acknowledge that racism exists across our communities but we fully denounce any and all forms of racism. We invite our citizens to join us in this commitment, reach out to your leaders, keep an open heart and an open mind and become a part of bridging any divides we identify within our communities.

Proudly signed on this date, June 5, 2020, with unanimous support of Shelby County Mayor’s Association membership.”

Mayor of Montevallo and chair of the Shelby County Mayors Association Hollie Cost said the statement was agreed upon during a virtual meeting in which each of the county’s mayors shared their concerns and personal feelings.

“In light of everything going on, we felt like it was very important for us to make an emphatic statement to our black community members to let them know that black lives truly matter and we’re committed to peace and unity in our communities,” Cost said.