Good morning.  Welcome to all in attendance. My name is Joe Adams and I have been asked to make a statement regarding my actions regarding the June 4 protest.

As a matter of record, I acted as an individual and this statement is done in the same manner.

There has been multiple hours of public and private discussion on this issue and there is an on-going investigation by our district attorney (DA) AG Howell. Both DA Howell and Sheriff Steelman stated two weeks ago that there was a credible threat that may affect the safety of the protesters, the general public, private and public property, and our community.  That is the basis for my actions… solely doing my best to inform the public as to protect everybody’s safety. I had no intention to reduce or impede the rights of anyone.  I will wait for the investigation to be finalized and reported.

On June 2 and 3, there were multiple news media reports showing the violence and arson in Philadelphia surrounding what was intended to be a peaceful protest. I saw no information regarding the false Antifa rumors about suburban and rural protests until after June 4. I never even heard the term Antifa until after June 5. I note the timing of the media and social media articles and also accept the responsibility for my actions, with no knowledge of the Antifa hoax.

I do not use social media as a means to communicate because of the potential to be inaccurate or misinterpreted. I believe there are posts and blogs out there that have misstated comments, edited statements, produced headlines and make allegations that are inaccurate and untrue and unfair; and there are people in this room that will vouch for that statement.

That being said, I firmly support the Declaration of Independence and Constitution and its Amendments. The Declaration of Independence has an important passage that I believe is paramount: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”

The Constitution’s First Amendment is paramount to our success as a country: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and petition the Government for a redress of grievances”

There are recent events that I appreciate and celebrate, which include:

1. The three peaceful protests in Wayne County since June 4
2. The 101st anniversary of the 19th Amendment: “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex” and
3. The Supreme Court ruling that LGBTQ workers are protected from job discrimination. I believe that all discrimination is wrong [that] has happened in our society, and I have personally acted in past professional positions to promote hiring fairness and equity for all.  

I am 100 percent in support of all of the Constitution and also the Supreme Court ruling regarding job discrimination.

I am completely in support of the peaceful protests of the past few weeks, and I applaud the organizers and participants.  Exercising First Amendment rights to educate and promote awareness of the inequities in our country is important and will create positive change. There is bigotry and racism everywhere in the United States and I believe it is very wrong and needs to be addressed, and action and laws need to be implemented to stop it. I personally want to commend all involved in promoting the positive changes that we all need when it comes to being equitable with all people regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or gender.

I believe that the only way to continue to improve this country and our community is to work together, to respect each other, to develop trust of each other, to resist misstatements and un-truths and to educate, communicate, and promote and act with fairness and equity for all races, religions, ethnicity and sex…. All while protecting citizens and community and doing everything possible to get it right.  We have an excellent opportunity to positively change the course of our society.  I plan on working with anyone that wants to help make it better.

Thank you.