FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AN INDEPENDENCE DAY EXPRESSION OF GRATITUDE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT

In the days leading up to last night’s Black Lives Matter march in the CWE, a significant change
in the dynamics of the situation occurred. Support for the simple proposition that those who
protect their families and their homes on their property are acting lawfully and in conformity
with the fundamental tenets upon which our nation was built came from around the world.
Contact was garnered from the highest office in the land in the form of an expression of concern
and encouragement to find a peaceful way to address the concerning state of our great city.
With unparalleled federal interest and willingness to help, the City saw fit to permit the City
police under the leadership of Captain John Hayden to do that which police do best, serve and
protect. Left unchecked by political appeasement, Captain Hayden was present on the scene,
respectful of the rights of protesters and respectful of the rights of property owners.
Appropriate measures were taken to ensure the safety of citizens. Those measures were
deployed without fanfare. They were highly effective. Each and every day law enforcement acts
with excellence to serve and protect. Unfortunately, they have lousy public relations skills. They
don’t brag. In this day of a one dimensional social media driven world, the millions of good
deeds conducted daily by law enforcement in our country are shrouded in social media secrecy
and replaced with far and few between images demonstrating where law enforcement may have
fallen short of the mark. The finest restaurants in the world upgrade their menus. The most
expensive cars in the world require maintenance. Indeed, on this Independence Day, we all need
to listen and actually hear the message of BLM, renew our faith in the Constitutional rights
which inure to the benefit of all, and offer up a word of gratitude for those who supported the
ability of both the message and our Constitution to coexist. Without one, there is not the other.
As for the federal authorities and the City Police, on behalf of the McCloskeys, two things are
required and extended, an expression of gratitude and faith in the abilities of city and federal
law enforcement to ensure we all have both the opportunity to be heard and retain the integrity
of the rights accorded us by a magnificent document executed in Philadelphia.

Al Watkins
Attorney for McCloskeys