Mass. cops to protest over Black Lives Matter sign at city hall

Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone denied a request last week from the officers to remove the banner

July 27, 2016 02:06 PM

A “Black Lives Matter” banner hangs at the main entrance of City Hall Thursday, July 21, 2016, in Somerville, Mass.

Associated Press

SOMERVILLE, Mass. — Police officers in Massachusetts are planning to protest after the mayor of Somerville refused to remove a Black Lives Matter banner from city hall.

The sign above city hall’s main entrance has been in place for nearly a year.

Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone denied a request last week from the officers to remove the banner, saying his “unwavering support” for police doesn’t pre-empt a commitment to “addressing systemic racism in our nation.”

The Somerville Police Employees Association and other police unions are scheduled to rally Thursday evening outside Somerville City Hall.

Boston.com reports the officers say they’re protesting what they describe as a “disrespectful” message.

A Somerville police union statement says protesters will “demonstrate the solidarity of police organizations in Massachusetts to the exclusionary message that the banner sends.”