The 'Back the Blue' flag, which emerged as a counter symbol to the Black Lives Matter movement, has been widely adopted by our local police and displayed at our police stations. This symbol, to many of us, carries the weight of heavy racist undertones and sends a message of exclusion and fear to parts of our already targeted and underserved communities. This issue furthers racial divide in our city, rather than fostering unity and trust.

Moreover, the endorsement of the symbol by our mayor during the 'Back the Blue' bike ride has caused a great deal of concern. This public gesture can be considered a political statement, which blurs the lines of neutrality that should exist within our public service. This is not just insensitivity to the racial injustices faced by many residents of our city, but a blatant disregard toward fostering racial harmony and equality.

In this era where social awareness is growing, it is important for our institutions to move towards representative symbols that unite and not divide. It is our plea to the mayor's office, city officials, and the police department, to listen to the voices of their constituents, who feel targeted and alienated by the continued use of the 'Back the Blue' flag.

We call upon you to remove this symbol from police uniforms and any city premises! Let's make Grand Prairie a city that stands for unity, respect and equal treatment for all, irrespective of the color of their skin. Please sign and share this petition to progress towards a more inclusive community.