Local leader speaking out against violence

Local leader speaking out against violence

Days since george floyd died in police custody -- each of those days..

Filled with marches...at times giving way to violence and looting.

Leaders in the utica community are speaking out against the violence across the country... and commending the peaceful, effective protesters here at home.

News channel 2's caitlin irla has our top story tonight.

Too short to cg - "america is literally and figuratively on fire and this is tragic."

Patrick johnson is well known throughout the community for being an activist and a leader.

.

None .

None "i believe that we are capable as a country, as a nation of taking this tragedy and finding some silver linings and we can go forward."

He says he is proud of the protests here in utica on sunday.

"i'm really thankful that the protesters sunday were well mannered, we didn't have any incidents."

He says the violence confuses and blurs the message.

"i do not tolerate or validate the looting or the rioting."

"i hope that we don't allow the disruption with the looting and other dangerous things as an excuse to ignore this really big problem."

While the relationship between the polce and the community has come a long way locally, there is still more work to do.

I'm really thankful to pour local police department for their willingness to engage in good,ds in race relations."

And the next step is to continue these conversations.

In utica, caitlin irla, news channel 2.> new tonight - another peaceful protest took