The United States of America is a great nation, in part, because of our belief in the right to exercise freedom of speech peacefully and without fear of retaliation. Yet today, we are witnessing an alarming rise in violence against those who seek to exercise that right. I strongly condemn such acts, including the recent tragic assassination at Utah Valley University.
There was a time when we could disagree with one another civilly, remembering that we are united as citizens of this great country. Sadly, society has shifted toward anger and contempt. Instead of learning to love our enemies, our culture too often encourages us to hate those with whom we disagree. This is visible even at the highest levels of leadership. No single political party is to blame. Right, left, or center, we all share responsibility and must commit to change.
Considering recent events, I call for peace, respect, and civility in our discourse. I believe we share more in common with our opponents than what divides us. We can choose love and empathy. We can choose to disagree without hate. Put down your phone, step away from social media, and walk across the street to talk with your neighbor. Together, we can stand against violence and build bridges of understanding.
Mayor Mark Johnson
