A note from the Chief:
The Clermont Police Department and the City of Clermont would like to thank all of those involved in the demonstrations which took place yesterday, both those who organized and those who participated. At a very early stage, we were approached by the organizers and were impressed with their passion, professionalism, and cooperation. Thank you for exercising your right to a peaceful protest and for demonstrating this both during and after the scheduled event.
We would also like to thank our amazing and diversified community who showed overwhelming support. Many members of the community, both residents and business owners, stopped by to bring water, snacks, face masks, or to just show support for a peaceful demonstration. Thank you to the members of the media who responded and provided coverage of yesterday’s events.
I also want to thank the men and women of the Clermont Police Department, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, and all the law enforcement agencies who responded to our city to help us provide the safest environment for peaceful demonstrations – Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Groveland Police Department, and the Leesburg Police Department. To our government officials like Lake County Commissioner Sean Parks, City Manager Darren Gray as well as members of our City Council, thank you for your supporting presence and for speaking to the diverse and passionate crowd. Lastly, thank you to the many local religious leaders who were at these events to provide prayers and words of wisdom.
My hope and prayers were for these demonstrations to be a model and one that could be emulated by cities and communities from across the nation of how a diverse group of people CAN come together in peaceful protest on such an important topic. From the very beginning, in communication with the organizers of these events, that was the goal expressed by all of us. I believe that together, we accomplished that goal and in the midst of uncertainty in this world, all involved made significant contributions that will affect positive changes for the future. As stated by one of the speakers at the protest “The norm is the problem”. So let’s all live out that statement, step out of our comfort zones, and collectively rise above the status quo to effect change.
The SOUTH LAKE TABLET is so proud of our community. During the COVID-19 pandemic, people came out to show compassion, unity, and the right to be heard. We are an amazing community.
