A solidarity protest at Memorial Park in Lansdale on June 7. During the demonstration, multiple officials, including Montco Commissioner Ken Lawrence,
A bipartisan group of elected officials across the North Penn area have penned and signed a joint statement condemning remarks made by Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Gale.
On June 1, Gale released the following statement in regards to the protests, rioting and looting that was seen across Philadelphia following the death of 46-year-old George Floyd on Memorial Day.
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The press
release issued by Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Gale on June 1 regarding
the incidents that occurred in Philadelphia the prior weekend. (Credit: Joe
Gale / Facebook)... |
Gale’s statement lead to a swift rebuke from his fellow county commissioners Dr. Valerie Arkoosh and Ken Lawrence, who officially censured Gale on June 4 amidst protests and growing calls for Gale’s resignation. That sentiment was echoed late-Friday, as a bipartisan group of elected officials across the North Penn area denounced Gale’s statement and called for his resignation.
The statement reads, in full:
Last week an already-stressed nation was horrified by the totally senseless death of George Floyd at the hands of now ex-police officers in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
On June 2, over 650 people from all over the North Penn area came out to Lansdale, Montgomery County to show support for our black and brown community members. Signs with “Black Lives Matter” and "Join Us, Show your Support to End Racism” could be seen up and down Main Street. Protesters peacefully called for justice and unity while expressing outrage for the tragic death of Mr. Floyd. Police from the entire North Penn community, both uniformed and non-uniformed, stood with their neighbors and knelt on one knee for 8 minutes and 46 seconds — the length of time George Floyd had a police officer's knee on his neck.
We are local elected officials in the North Penn Community, including the North Penn School Board of Directors, supervisors from Montgomery and Towamencin townships, commissioners from Upper Gwynedd and Hatfield townships, a council member from Lansdale Borough, and president of the North Wales Borough Council. We are adding our voices to the growing number of representatives calling for the resignation of Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Gale. His attacks and allegations against a group he obviously knows little about cannot be ignored. Mr. Gale's statement issued on June 1 does not reflect the values, commitment and dedication that we have as representatives of our community. His comments were meant to divide. We encourage and welcome unity, respect and diversity in the North Penn area, and the peaceful protest validated this on Tuesday night.
On June 4 during a regularly scheduled Montgomery County Commissioners meeting, a flurry of residents spoke demanding Mr. Gale resign, and yet not one person spoke in support of his hateful, racist remarks. While Joe was formally censured by Chairwoman Arkoosh and Commissioner Lawrence at this meeting for his inflammatory, racist and false statement issued on county letterhead, it’s not enough.
While we do understand all lives matter, given what we know to be true at this time in our nation,
we stand with those fighting against racism and violence towards people of color. Black Lives Matter.
The joint statement was signed by the following elected officials:
Despite the controversy, protests and calls for his resignation, Gale has remained steadfast in his position, and has stated that he will not cave to calls for his resignation. Below is his opening statement during the June 4 Montgomery County Board of Commissioners meeting.
When reached for comment by North Penn Now, Gale stated that the views that he expressed on June 4 remain representative of his position. Gale also sent a video response, which can be viewed below and is directed at the protesters.
“If the Black Lives Matter movement was really concerned with black lives mattering, those protesting me would instead be at Planned Parenthood protesting the slaughter of black children in the womb,” Gale said.
See also:
Demonstrations Against Racial Injustice Held In Lansdale, North Wales And Abington-Lansdale Hospital
Peaceful Rally Draws More Than 1,000 Demonstrators to Souderton
Lansdale Police Chief Reflects On Recent Protest, Says Demonstrators Should Be Praised
Hundreds Attend Peaceful Rally In Support Of George Floyd In Lansdale, Police Show Their Support
Lansdale Police Chief: ‘It’s Time To End Idle Talk And Move Towards Solutions’
