Amid protests, Fort Worth mayor pledges to continue working to ‘root out racism’
As peaceful demonstrations begin in Fort Worth following the death of George Floyd, Mayor Betsy Price wants residents to know she understands their pain — and why they could be feeling it here, in particular.
The mayor invoked the October 2019 shooting death of Atatiana Jefferson in a statement Saturday, referring to it as tragedy from only seven months ago. “This is just one instance that gained national attention, but it occurs far too often in cities and towns all over America,” Price said in the statement on her Twitter page.
The shooting death of Atatiana Jefferson, perpetrated by a white officer as she stood inside her home, led to outrage across Fort Worth and the entire country. After a white Minneapolis police officer killed George Floyd, kneeling on his neck for almost nine minutes as he protested he couldn’t breathe, those same feelings of anger have led to protests. A rally in Fort Worth on Friday was peaceful but those one city over, in Dallas, have become violent.
Price noted in her statement there are more examples of racial injustice beyond those that gain attention. And she knows “the pain for black and brown families is just as raw, real and deep,” she said.
“As Mayor, I remain committed to continuing the work we have started to root out racism, inequities and disparities at a systemic and policy level,” Price said. “But, just as importantly, I am committed to continuing the work within myself — to examine my own heart and to grow in my own understanding.”
Before the shooting death of Jefferson in October, Fort Worth officers had shot six people going back to June 1, 2019. Five of those people died.
The George Floyd rally in downtown Fort Worth on Friday involved about 200 people peacefully marching through the streets, chanting “I can’t breathe!” and holding up “Black Lives Matter” signs. Officers rode on bicycles alongside the marchers to block traffic.
It was a stark contrast to the rallies that unfolded Friday night in Dallas, where protesters threw objects at police cars and blocked traffic on Interstate 35, according to the Dallas News. Police released tear gas downtown at Young and Griffin streets, the newspaper reported. People reportedly ran away coughing.
Price said Saturday she would be joining a call with other mayors and police chiefs from across the country to work together to create change.
“Fort Worth, I promise to keep working,” she said. “Together, we can do better and be better.”
