Mayor, Vice mayor denounce violence in capitals

The mayor and vice mayor of Fort Bragg, Bernie Norvell and Jessica Morsell-Haye, released a joint statement Tuesday afternoon, condemning the violence and threats of violence leading up to the presidential inauguration.

“Peaceful transfer of elected leadership is a core tenet of our democracy. As public officials, our oath is to protect the constitution against enemies both foreign and domestic. The attack on our capital was a direct assault on our democratic process and the constitution of the United States of America,” stated the joint release.

Both Norvell and Morsell-Haye spoke out against the attack on the U.S. Capitol building at the last city council meeting, and Mayor Norvell spent a significant portion of time at the start of the meeting asking Fort Braggers to take care of one another and look out for each other.

“We recognize that our small community embodies a broad range of perspectives,” the statement continued. “The First Amendment is a bedrock value of this country that ensures everyone’s right to freedom of speech and to peaceably assemble. ‘Peaceably’ is the operative word. In light of what happened in D.C. we, your mayor and vice mayor, denounce any form of violence.”