As downtown businesses board up prior to a planned vigil on the square, Murfreesboro Mayor Shane McFarland issued a statement on Facebook.
What has happened in our country is tragic. George Floyd did not deserve what happened to him and the officers should be swiftly and harshly dealt with. We should all take a step back and find better ways that we understand one another and we appreciate one another. There is no explanation or justification for these type of actions and we have to strive to continue to be better and do better. I am committed to that in Murfreesboro.
We are ALL Murfreesboro residents and we should ALL treat people justly and have understanding. We will not allow people to come from other communities to destroy our City. We will be prepared and we will protect our residents and business owners. We cannot and will not allow violent protests to be the face of our community.
I just left downtown and my heart was full when I saw business owners and residents working together to protect their businesses. It brought flashbacks to several years ago when we dealt with a similar situation. This is our time again to show how Murfreesboro responds....I believe we can again be the example.
