I know that, like me, many of you are following the George Floyd trial and awaiting the results of the jury’s deliberation pertaining to Derek Chauvin. As we wait, please remember that our current actions will not bring Mr. Floyd back. In addition, while some may feel otherwise, closure of this issue will not occur with the decision.
We have a lot of work to do in regard to how we treat people. We have a systemic problem that needs to be fixed. While this problem has lingered for too many years, we also need to remember fixing the problem not happen overnight, or this week, or this year. We will not reach a solution until all of us live out the statement “all men and women are created equal.” To achieve this goal, we must begin taking steps to make equity happen, for everyone—only then will real change happen. Change cannot happen if only a few of us take part. This requires all of us.
As we embark on making these changes, it is up to me as your Mayor to help inform and guide our community while we watch what’s happening in Minnesota and elsewhere across our country. While we cannot greatly impact other jurisdictions, the Edgewood City Council is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our city. Our police force is continually working to ensure all Edgewood residents are protected. To that end, I am thankful for the police officers that we have in our city. The actions of a few officers, in a total force of thousands across our nation, should not be reflected on all officers. While those actions may diminish the trust that we have in those specific officers or maybe even for all police officers, that loss of trust is not good, nor is it good for our community.
Let’s take this time in history to begin recognizing the wrongs that have been happening and take actions to correct these problems together. We need to be the people who are going to stand up to right those wrongs—together.
Mayor Eidinger