Melrose Councilors Take Knee, Observe Silence For George Floyd

MELROSE, MA — Members of the City Council took a moment Monday night in memory of George Floyd, who died in police custody, and against police brutality against black Americans. Some took a knee while others bowed their head in silence.

Council President Jen Grigoraitis and Councilors Maya Jamaleddine and Leila Migliorelli issued a joint statement outlining commitments they are making to work toward racial justice.

"The killing of George Floyd and too many other black Americans at the hands of police is unacceptable, and silence on the part of elected officials equals complicit," the statement reads. "It is our job to help lead our community in efforts to be anti-racist. We see this as the beginning of a long overdue effort to address the structural racism within our community."

You can read the full statement below: