Mayor Steven Reed: Maybe it WAS a hate crime

 

“This is a fluid investigation. At this point, the FBI has not classified these attacks as a hate crime, but the investigation is ongoing. ...as a former judge and as an elected official, I will trust this process and the integrity of our justice system. However, my perspective as a Black man in Montgomery differs from my perspective as mayor. 

"From what we’ve seen from the history of our city — a place tied to both the pain and the progress of this nation – it seems to meet the moral definition of a crime fueled by hate, and this kind of violence cannot go unchecked. It is a threat to the durability of our democracy, and we are grateful to our law enforcement professionals, partner organizations and the greater community for helping us ensure justice will prevail."