10 Montco Mayors Write Letter Supporting Bridgeport Mayor

Patch
Mayors from across the county are standing behind Bridgeport Mayor Mark Barbee, who has faced racism and hate speech in office.

BRIDGEPORT, PA — Montgomery County mayors are standing up for one of their peers who has faced racism and even death threats in his short time in office.

The PhillyVoice first reported the breadth of the hate speech faced by Bridgeport Mayor Mark Barbee since he came into office this past January. Barbee is reportedly the first gay African-American mayor in Bridgeport's history.

"We are keenly aware that disagreements within government are normal and to be expected," the letter states. "What is happening to Mayor Barbee, is not normal nor should it ever be expected."

The letter was signed by the mayors of Royersford, Conshohocken, Collegeville, West Conshohocken, Ambler, Lansdale, Pottstown, Narberth, Hatboro, and Jenkintown.

In it, the mayors pledged to disagree respectfully while recognizing that words have "consequences."

"No one should be demonized or disrespected because of his or her race or sexuality" the letter goes on. "Nor should anyone be made an object of derision because of his or her gender, religion, national origin, or political perspective. We believe the clear majority of our boroughs’ populations feel the same as we do, but we also know that the vitriolic and hate spewing underground tends to be louder and more noticeable."

The hate speech intensified after Bridgeport passed a resolution condemning hate speech last week.

"Royersford, 10 of us MontCo Mayors have taken a pledge to practice the following in our communities," Royersford Mayor Jenna Antoniewicz wrote on Facebook, sharing highlights of the letter. "Will you join us?"

The letter also received support from Montgomery County Sheriff Sean Kilkenny, who said he was "proud to work with these mayors and call many of them my friend."

Image via Shutterstock