After Dallas, Kenney Asks Philadelphians to “Be Willing to Hear One Another”

A Dallas police officer, who did not which to be identified, takes a moment as she guards an intersection in the early morning after a shooting in downtown Dallas, Friday, July 8, 2016. Photo by LM Otero/AP

Mayor Jim Kenney released a statement Friday asking the citizens of Philadelphia to “listen and be willing to hear one another” after a violent and tense week in which several shootings across the country have gained international attention, frustration and anguish.

His statement comes on the heels of last night’s shooting in Dallas, which occurred during a Black Lives Matter protest and claimed the lives of five police officers and wounded seven others. Two civilians were injured.

Nationwide protests have followed the shootings by police of Alton Sterling in Baton Rogue, Louisiana on Tuesday, and Philando Castile in Minnesota on Wednesday.

“I have profound respect for the peaceful protestors who marched in Philadelphia last night to demand change, and I have a profound respect for the Philadelphia police officers who stood ready to protect them and who put their lives on the line for this city every day,” Kenney said. “The only way to achieve the peace we all seek is to listen and to be willing to hear one another.”

I’ve searched for right words to express my profound grief after the deaths of Alton Sterling & Philando Castile, and now officers in Dallas

— Mayor Cherelle L. Parker (@PhillyMayor) July 8, 2016

I will never know what it’s like to walk in a black man’s or a police officer’s shoes. So instead, I listened.

— Mayor Cherelle L. Parker (@PhillyMayor) July 8, 2016

Both shootings have ignited an outcry of anguish, frustration and demand for change across the country. Philadelphia saw protests in and around Center City on both Wednesday and Thursday this week.

Gov. Tom Wolf has ordered all Commonwealth flags to be flown at half-staff.

“I’m greatly saddened by the horrific acts of violence that have taken place over the past several days,” Wolf said in a press release. “We must treat each other with compassion and understanding. We must seek to understand each other, our similarities and our differences. And we must never, ever let violence beget violence.”

“It is unacceptable for people to live in fear because of the color of their skin,” Wolf continued. “There is no justification. As officers were bringing out the best in ourselves by protecting protesters and preserving their right to assemble, they were attacked. There is no justification for that either.”

Other local and state politicians have released statements and taken to Twitter to voice concern.

“There is no reason that a young man should be dead at the end of a traffic stop,” state Sen. Vincent Hughes said in a statement. “There is no reason that five police officers should be dead at the end of a peaceful protest. We seem to have the resources to build stadiums for professional athletes and fancy hotels downtown. But we don’t have the money to invest in peace in our streets.”

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey released a statement today as well.

“The deaths in Dallas came on the heels of shooting incidents involving police in Louisiana and Minnesota that once again raised questions about the appropriate use of force in our policing and criminal justice system,” Casey said. “As we offer prayers and condolences for the families of all of the victims, we must, as one nation, commit to addressing these challenges.”

The disgusting attack in #Dallas has no possible justification. pic.twitter.com/NFKZdyh5WQ

— Pat Toomey (US Sen. ret.) (@SenToomey) July 8, 2016

Troubled by violence nation has seen this week- Minnesota, Louisiana & Dallas. Substantial amount of work to be done to address challenges

— Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey) July 8, 2016

Those snippers not only dined the basic privilege of humanity -life, but they disrespected the efforts/work of peaceful protesters .

— Anthony Hardy Williams (@SenTonyWilliams) July 8, 2016

In trying times we must band together as a nation to
ensure that all lives are equally valued — in Dallas,  Minn., La. & everywhere.

— Mike Stack (@LtGovStack) July 8, 2016

Follow @ClaireSasko on Twitter.