Marty Walsh: “I rise today to condemn the arson fires in African-American churches. The good people of central New York whom I…”

“I rise today to condemn the arson fires in African-American churches. The good people of central New York whom I represent know that when you see a wrong committed, you must speak out. On their behalf, I want to protest the violence, express our disgust with the hatred, and offer our hand in peace. As we publicly stand with black Americans we hope to show people of violence one thing--that it is they who are in the minority. It is they who will be overcome. It is we, the majority, the peacemakers, black and white, who will inherit the Earth. Hatred that spawns violence is not natural or normal. It is foreign to us at birth. We see that the children do not hate. They do not segregate themselves. They do not act violently toward others of a different skin color--unless they are taught. We can learn from the children. In fact, we must if we are to survive as a great civilization. Today, as the fire investigation continues, I want to say to my friends in this Chamber who are African-American, and to my friends back home, please continue to have faith that most Americans do not hate. With you, we are the majority in the greatest country on Earth. No purveyors of hate or prejudice will take that from us.”