CLARKSVILLE, Ark. — Clarksville Mayor, David Rieder, released a video where he speaks about the Black Lives Matter banner hung downtown.
In the video, he explains the permitting process and says he's called for a special city council meeting for Monday (Aug. 24) night. The meeting will be to conduct a thorough review of the codes and use of banners and signs within the city limits of Clarksville in the future.
The banner was set in place ahead of a Black Lives Matter rally happening this September and since then, has caused a lot of local controversy.
To watch the video click here.
Read the Mayor's full statement below.
"Good morning everyone, I wanted to take a few minutes here and post a video, giving you some background over the banner that's over the bridge in downtown Clarksville. I know it's controversial but I wanted to explain the process so that you understand fully how we got to where we are today.
So that permitting process, which allowed for the banner to be installed over the main street bridge, is reviewed and issued by the US State Highway Department, then it's sent to city hall for endorsement. Typically, those are rubber-stamped but this time they wanted a signature endorsement. But the city doesn't issue that permit. We are however required to conduct a legal review to ensure that the permit parameters of all local statutes and city codes are being met prior to the endorsement being given.
That is the process that was followed in this case, and the banner met all local, state, and federal laws. But with the outpouring of community involvement over the issue, I've called for a special city council meeting for this Monday night, to conduct a thorough review of our codes, and the use of banners and signs within the city limits of Clarksville in the future. So, upon approval, the banner just like any other banner that we've put up on the bridge, those banners are delivered to the city, or Clarksville connected personnel along with the copy of that permit, so that they can install it because we have the equipment to do so. Once those permits are received and signed off on, that's their job to do that. So they were doing their job in this case. But neither the city nor the state had any legal foundation for denial of the permit. A denial would have been a deviation from the prior permitting process and even a basis of denial for fear of a riot, physical conflict, would've likely resulted in a violation of the 14th amendment.
So I want to make it clear you know, I've spent 26 years in service to my country in defense of our constitutional rights. I believe in the right of freedom of speech. And I also believe that life is a precious gift from God. And that all life from the womb to the tomb is valuable and should not be taken for granted. I would ask for each and every citizen of Clarksville to try and remain calm, seek peace, and understanding at this time. I want to thank all the members of our law enforcement that were on sight and supported the event that happened yesterday. Their professionalism, their courage, were on full display for the world to see. And I'm always going to be standing with the members of the law enforcement. But I would just encourage the citizens of Clarksville to seek peace and understanding at this time, and we will get through this."