NORRISTOWN, Pa. (WLVT) - A crowd of over 200 people gathered at the Montgomery County Courthouse on Thursday to call for the resignation of county commissioner Joe Gale.
In a lengthy statement released on Monday, the commissioner called Black Lives Matter a ‘’radical left-wing hate group’’ and referred to Democratic leaders as ‘’sympathizers of enemy combatants.’’ Click here to learn more and to read his statement.
Notably, the remarks were printed on official county letterhead.
CALL FOR CHANGE
Protester Shirell Harrison says she wants people to know that Gale does not speak for the county she calls home.
''Joe Gale represents the problem that we have at a much larger level, said Harrison, who grew up in Norristown. ''He’s someone in a position of power who is able to spew hate on a larger platform. My mom works in the courthouse, she works for a place that allowed him to send out a letter like that. How could you let someone send out such an official letter sending hateful things about the movement?''
Jennifer Thompkins, a youth advisor for the NAACP, condemned Gale for using his platform to speak against the Black Lives Matter movement.
''Every single day as an African-American, we have to remind ourselves that we matter,'' Thompkins told PBS39. ''So, when we say that out loud, that shouldn't be seen as hateful, that’s self pride. It’s saying, black lives matter. To me, it’s crazy to call that a hate group.''
POLICE PRESENCE
While there was a police presence at the event, no officers sported riot gear. Norristown police chief Mark Talbot said his goal was to ensure that protesters felt safe.
''I think it’s fantastic. I think anytime that people feel strongly enough to come out for something they believe in, they should do it. I think there absolutely needs to be change. Anytime you see a result like we all saw a few weeks ago, it indicates that there is a deeper issue that needs to be worked out,'' Talbot told PBS39.
Talbot says he welcomes reforms to policing and the justice system.
''What happens when the tragedy of George Floyd fades from people’s minds? When the obnoxious comments from Commissioner Gale are no longer a factor? Who’s going to continue this work of sustained focus on these issues? If we come out and engage in the public spaces, and we have respectful conversations around these issues, we’re going to win,'' said Talbot.
''KAREN'S AGAINST RACISM''
King of Prussia resident Julie Randolph carried a ‘’Karen's Against Racism’’ sign to the event.
''My kids told me I’d be a perfect Karen, the 'I want to speak to the manager’ kind of person,'' Randolph told PBS39. ''It’s just a nickname for white women who feel that they can do want they want, and they do it without facing discrimination. I have four bi-racial children. They grew up in this county and I always was in that white privilege bubble, I thought everything was fine. I told people, there is no racism, but there is. It’s underlying and insidious. He needs to resign, I don’t think that he will because he’s too much of a narcissist.''
Her daughter, Shae Randolph, spoke at the regularly scheduled board of commissioners meeting before the protest. She called on commissioners Val Arkoosh and Ken Lawrence to take action against Gale.
''I think they need to talk less and do more,'' she told PBS39. ''I’m really hopeful. For the first time, people who are not directly affected by racism are disgusted by what’s going on. The fact that most of the people here are not black, but are disgusted by Gale, it’s really important.''
Commissioner Gale did not return PBS39's request for comment. He has since stated on Facebook that he will not resign, and said he: ‘’Speaks for millions of Pennsylvanians and Americans, and is not resigning for speaking the truth.’’