Today, Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley released a statement in response to the shooting of former President Trump, urging Flint community members to come together across political divides.
“The shooting of Former President Trump highlights a disturbing undertone of violence in our political conversations that has grown throughout every level of government in recent years. Flint’s local politics are no exception. Violence has no place in our democracy, and I want to echo our state and national leaders who are urging all Americans to deescalate their rhetoric.
“I am thankful that Flint is a city of engaged residents who care deeply about the direction our community takes. But as we prepare for our city council to return from an adjournment this week, I want to urge Flint residents to tone down their rhetoric. I also urge our public officials to set a positive example for our community and de-escalate the rhetoric of their debate to help prevent possible violent outcomes.
“I have said many times, ‘Think positive, speak positive, for a positive Flint.’ This may seem simplistic, but words are powerful. We must all make the choice together to speak positivity into our politics. Not calls to harm or hate. Not calls to jail our political opponents. We must choose peace to heal our democracy. It starts right here in Flint.
“Words can and do quickly turn to violence. On a national level, we have seen the storming of our nation’s capital, the assault on Nancy Pelosi’s husband, and closer to home, the plot to kidnap and kill Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
“In Flint, we have witnessed threats against local officials and long guns being brought to public meetings. Residents have been assaulted and threatened in city council chambers. We have heard inflammatory rhetoric that we fear will escalate to violence. This type of intimidation prevents people from participating in our American tradition of local self-governance and threatens our democracy as a whole. We cannot allow this to continue.
“I sought the office of Mayor with the promise of One Flint, with the goal of uniting people across race, class, and political divisions. I still believe that this is possible. It’s up to each and every one of us. We must change our behavior and our language to build a better future for our children.”
