To the Editor:

I’d like to thank the community of Western North Carolina for so cooperatively hosting the historic Moral Monday gathering in Sylva last Monday, June 13, held in the aftermath of the horrific mass shooting in Orlando, Florida. 

This event was hosted by the newest and farthest west branch of the North Carolina conference of the NAACP, in Jackson County. Dr. Enrique Gomez is the first Hispanic president of an NAACP Branch. The Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II delivered an inspiring and motivating keynote address in his first trip west of Asheville to a large crowd of hundreds in this small rural town. Other citizens who have been impacted hard by actions of the N.C. General Assembly and the governor also stood up to speak in a way that was very moving to all who witnessed.

The Smoky Mountain News covered the event thoroughly and fairly, even devoting its front page to the announcement the week before.

The Town of Sylva cooperated fully with the preparation of Bridge Park. The Sylva Police and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department were very professional and fully cooperative in providing security for the event and for Dr. Barber, personally. Jackson County Transit provided a paid shuttle service between the Justice Center parking lot and Bridge Park.

Sylva Mayor Lynda Sossamon was welcoming to all those who came to our community to participate in this event.

I am proud to be living in this community.

Avram Friedman

Sylva

Executive Director of the Canary Coalition