'I Pledge To Work Towards Racial Justice': Shaker Heights Mayor

SHAKER HEIGHTS, OH — In the wake of widespread protests and rioting throughout Ohio, Shaker Heights Mayor David Weiss pledged to work towards racial justice in the community.

Weiss penned an open letter to Shaker Heights residents on Monday. The letter came amid the deployment of the Ohio National Guard and the implementation of a curfew in neighboring Cleveland.

"I pledge to continue to work towards racial justice and equal opportunity for all by being an ally, by listening and engaging in open and honest dialogue, by learning, by standing up, by speaking out and by taking action. I commit to re-double our efforts to make these goals a priority for the city across all departments and at every level," Weiss said in his letter.

Saturday's protests were sparked by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Floyd died after being arrested by Minneapolis police. Video of his arrest shows officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on Floyd's neck, while Floyd repeatedly says he "cannot breathe." Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter on Friday.

Protests broke out across the U.S., including in Columbus and Cleveland, following Floyd's death. While much of Cleveland's protest was peaceful, some protesters began burning police cruisers and destroying city property.

Weiss said he wants Shaker Heights to be an anti-racist community, where everyone can feel welcome.

"We will begin by re-engaging with the wide range of existing community groups working on equity issues so that we can establish a structure for moving forward together. We seek to strengthen established partnerships and create new ones that will help us as a community to deepen our understanding and sharpen our focus on systemic racism, and to help us do the hard work of reevaluating systems and structures that create barriers for people of color," Weiss said.

Weiss said he will also continue to look for ways to diversify the Shaker Heights police department and will emphasize de-escalation training.

"We are fortunate to have police leadership that is fully committed to this work and to working in partnership with the community. We will lean into what we stand for here in Shaker: equity and inclusion in all ways and across all systems, and for all residents," Weiss said.