Justice for All

Local ministers, mayor urge progress, common goals

In a time when division and strife capture the headlines, it’s good to see something positive happen. Especially here at home.

On Tuesday, a group of local African American ministers and Texarkana, Arkansas, Mayor Allen Brown held a news conference at Mount Grove Baptist Church. The message? Unity in the fight for equal justice in the wake of George Floyd’s death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer.

With members of the public, Arkansas-side Police Chief Bob Harrison and several officers looking on, the ministers and the mayor urged community leaders and residents to work toward the goal of “liberty and justice for all.”

“No one deserves to die the way George Floyd did. We believe that each individual, regardless of race, color, gender or creed should have equality, to include fair treatment from law enforcement officers and equal access to educational opportunities,” said Twin Cities Ministerial Alliance President Bishop T.L. Taylor.

Brown evoked the nation’s Founding Fathers. “Our ancestors envisioned a nation where liberty and justice would be for all people, not some, but all. This phrase means we aim to provide and protect liberty and justice for all individuals regardless of gender, race, economic status, political ideology or religious background,” he said.

The Twin Cities have seen several peaceful protests over the past several days. And we have been spared the violence and looting that has happened in some other communities. That’s fortunate.

What would be unfortunate is if we fail to take heed of the protesters’ deep concerns for our nation and all its people and if we fail to come together and take action where needed.

Because that’s the only way we will ever be one America.