Leaders from Delaware County put out a joint video Sunday night stressing the importance of peacefully working together at a time when reports of looting and violence have hit the Philadelphia area and the nation.

Represented were a U.S. Congresswoman, state senators, state representatives, county council members and a mayor.

You can watch the video here. 

Largely peaceful protests sprung up nationwide following the death of George Floyd, a black man, at the hands of police in Minneapolis.

In some cases, those protests also triggered looting, vandalism and fires, leading to extensive damage in Center City Philadelphia, looting and vandalism at King of Prussia Mall,  looting at Upper Darby stores and related incidents across the nation.

As of Sunday evening, a curfew  was in force starting at 8 p.m. until 6 a.m. in Upper Darby and Lansdowne in response and will remain in effect indefinitely.

“The pain that we see is a reflection of the injustice and inaction that people have had to endure for too long,” said U.S. Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (D-5), commenting on the protests.

“It’s incumbent upon us to listen to the voices of our black leaders and black people in our community. We need to hear them and do everything we can to address and dismantle systemic racism in our country,” she said.

Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams (D-8) acknowledged that the frustrations of a lifetime experienced by the African American community will not go away in one night. He asked them to work with elected leaders.

“We may not agree on everything, but we agree on one thing. Human life and your dignity is most important,” he said. “We ask you to work with us peacefully and productively as we move forward.  I look forward to this conversation going forward.”

Chester Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland talked about when he was a victim of police brutality 45 years ago.

“I was beaten severely. I didn’t think I was going to make it,” he said. “Today, I’m the mayor of a city and I head up the police department.”

He described this moment as a “very crucial and important time in our history and our lives, one where we can come together and do better by everyone, or one where we can simply destroy our communities and ourselves.”

“You’re right to be angry. You’re right to have your emotions flying high during this time. The wrong thing is destruction of property… and hurting other people.,” he said.

Working together, we can “provide peace and love over hatred and bigotry and racism.”

Delaware County Council Vice President Dr. Monica Taylor emphasized the importance of being united in these troubling times.

“We must be united in speaking out against racism across our communities and across our country. We must be united in hearing the voice of our community who have felt unheard for so long.”

Also joining the video, but not commenting were State Sen. Tim Kearney (D-26), State Rep. Mike Zabel (D-163), State Rep. Leanne Krueger-Braneky (D-161),  State Rep. David M. Delloso (D-162), State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara (D-165), State Rep. Joanna McClinton (D-191), State Rep. Greg Vitali (D-166),  Delaware County Council President Brian Zidek, Councilman Kevin Madden, Councilwoman Christine Reuther, and Councilwoman Elaine Schaeffer.