When we watch or read the recent negative news from around the country and see the violence and hatred in many of our towns and cities, I take great pride in being a citizen of Salisbury and Rowan County. It is so gratifying to see the mutual support and cooperation or our citizens in addressing many of the problems that have divided other communities across America.

We can be proud of our community, especially the leaders in our churches and civic organizations, who have voiced their mutual respect and full support of all our citizens. The violence and hatred across America has to stop! Let’s join together and remove the words “hatred,” “bigotry” and “violence” from our vocabulary, and replace them with “love,” “care” and “concern” for our fellow Americans.

Thank you, Salisbury and Rowan County, for helping to set the example for our great country. May God bless America.

— Ronnie Smith

Salisbury