This is in support of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) pledge to address systemic racism.

This has been on the table for months (I believe since end of June or early July) and a public statement/pledge matters because it shows that town leadership supports these core values against systemic racism. The words matter, because they are principles that can inspire positive action.

Many communities have already been proactive in their town leadership by either signing the MAPC pledge or creating one similar for their towns, and I have not heard of any of these towns’ law enforcement being upset over it or vacating their positions. Our own chief sits on the Freedom Team and supports our community building inclusive bridges.

I hope at the next Select Board meeting they will sign off on this pledge or create one Hopkinton-specific.

— Darlene Hayes, Hopkinton

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