In an open letter to Akron citizens released Friday afternoon, Mayor Dan Horrigan reflected on “a tumultuous and divisive year” and called on neighbors to work together regardless of their feelings about President-elect Donald Trump.
In his letter, Horrigan said some of the “division and tension” caused by the Republican candidate’s win over Democrat Hillary Clinton “has trickled down” to Akron. “While we may not know how the next few years will play out, we can control how we support and interact with each other here in our community.”
Horrigan, a Democrat, said Trump must become a “tone-setter” in a way that is representative of all Americans — regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual identity or political party.
“There are many of our fellow citizens who are, understandably, in fear of what that tone will be; and fear can have a paralyzing effect on progress.”
The letter concludes with Horrigan promising to do his part and citing the biblical wisdom.
“Wouldn’t it be novel if we all took to heart the directive to simply ‘love thy neighbor,’ instead of ‘love only thy neighbor who looks and thinks like me?’ Black, White, Nepalese — we are Akron. Democrat, Republican, Independent — we are Akron. Gay, Straight, Christian, Muslim, Young, Old — we are AKRON. We must never forget that there is more that binds us than divides us.”