HOUSTON – Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner publicly showed support Wednesday for citizens of Charlottesville, Virginia and denounced this weekend's “display of violence, hate and murder that has rocked the country” during a news conference.
Turner was joined by Mayor Pro-Tem Ellen Cohen, Anti-Defamation League represented by Southwest Regional Director Dayan Gross, Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston, Houston represented by President and CEO Martin B. Cominsky, Congregation Beth Yeshurun's Rabbi David Rosen, Islamic Society of Greater Houston's M. J. Khan, Bishop James Dixon from the Community of Faith and numerous religious and community leaders.
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The news conference was held at Houston’s City Hall.
Turner insisted the community must come together and unite instead of divide and spread hate.
"We are here today to send a very strong and positive message to those who would like to divide us by trying to inspire hate and violence," Turner said. "We have to stand shoulder-to-shoulder to say, 'No,' to groups that would seek to divide."
WATCH: Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and local leaders talk about Charlottesville incident
Turner spoke about racial issues that have shaped Houston's past.
Turner asked for the community to respect one another regardless of circumstances.
Turner sent condolences to the families of those affected by the Charlottesville tragedy, including Houstonian Natalie Romero.
Romero is now out of the hospital and recovering in Virginia.
