Statement from Mayor Sorace – September 18

As this painful and incredibly difficult week comes to a close, I wanted to provide a few reflections. 

There has been no shortage of public opinion about the events that happened over the last week.  I have intentionally held my own opinions on matters related the arrests, the bail, and so on.  Why?  Two reasons: 

1. There is a bright red line between enforcing the law and adjudicating the law.  At a moment when many lines are blurred, this one seems very clear to me, and I hold it dear.  The judicial branch of government is separate from the executive branch for a reason. We saw some resolution to the questions of high bail this week and I’m relieved. As soon as Monday, preliminary hearings will commence and more questions will be answered.  
   
   
2. I don’t have all the facts yet. We have tried to address misinformation we’ve seen – www.cityoflancasterpa.com/september-13-fact-sheet. When tensions understandably run high, it is tempting to rush to judgment. Add to that the technology and tools at our fingertips to share information broadly and it can do harm. We all have a responsibility to check ourselves, the narrative we are promoting, and to ensure that we are correct in our assumptions.  I’m particularly mindful of the ways in which we “other” and dehumanize people, sowing seeds of further distrust.   

On Monday I issued a call for help (read more at www.cityoflancasterpa.com/blog/statement-from-mayor-sorace-9-14). Many responded. Thank you to all who have reached out in support of your neighbors and the City – residents from every corner of our City, businesses, clergy, advocates, mental health professionals, and more. We greatly appreciate offers the words of support, encouragement, and help.  I am heartened that there are more people who want to work to build our community up, rather than to tear it down.  We will continue that work – and it’s going to take all of us working together to get it done.  

Our deepest sympathies are with the Muñoz family as they lay their son and brother to rest.