Citizens simply raising consciousness

Editor’s note: The author is responding to a column published Sunday in which Salisbury Mayor Pro Tem Maggie Blackwell responded to comments from local residents (To angry citizens: You don’t know me).

I was one of the 23 citizens who Maggie Blackwell was talking about during public comment at the last City Council meeting.

I did not call her a racist.  In fact I did not hear any of our ‘organized’ presentation call her a racist.

Our fight is not personal, it is policy, and we want the City Council to address it. We too are involved in the community, volunteering, meeting with groups and trying to make Salisbury a better place. The sad thing is that we probably don’t see you, any more than you see us.

Those of us who spoke were concerned citizens trying to simply raise the consciousness of the community and the City Council about no-knock warrants. Hearing you say you cannot do anything seems a bit weak.

Let’s say the attorney generals report comes back and it is legal to use the no-knock warrant, does that mean we don’t still have a moral and just reason not to use it?

You have heard horrendous stories of police coming to the wrong house causing angst for everyone. It is not even safe for the police to use such a warrant, especially in North Carolina, where all of us can carry a weapon.

Sometimes those of us on the outside feel the ball is just being kicked down the road, with no solid decision.  I have to trust that this is not happening and the City Council is truly going to address this issue very soon.

— Kim Porter

Salisbury