Walsh thanks peaceful protesters, says it's time to 'roll up our sleeves'

"I am listening.

To the voices and the messages of our black neighbors, who are harmed by systemic racism every single day.

As elected officials, it's time to listen and learn and keep those voices at the center of the conversation," Walsh said.

SILENCE.IN BOSTON, MR. FLOYD’S MURDERHAS CAUSED REAL PAIN.IT HAS BROUGHT OUT REAL PAINTTHAT HAS EXISTED IN THE CITY FORA LONG, LONG TIME.I WANT TO THANK THE THOUSANDS OFPEOPLE WHO HAVE COME OUT TOHONOR GEORGE FLOYD AND TAKE ASTAND AGAINST RACISM.ON BOSTON COMMON YESTERDAY,FRANKLIN PARK ON TUESDAY, ANDACROSS THE CITY OVER THE LASTSEVERAL DAYS WE HAVE SEEN MANYEXAMPLES OF CONNECTION ANDCOMPASSION.WE HAVE SEEN PROTESTERS LOOKINGOUT FOR EACH OTHER.WE SAW LEADERS IN THE COMMUNITYGUIDING YOUNG PEOPLE TO EXPRESSTHEMSELVES SAFELY.WE SAW POLICE OFFICERS TAKING AKNEE IN SOLIDARITY.IT MAY ME PROUD AS THE MAYOR ANDMAY PROUD AS A BOSTONIAN.CHANGE IS NECESSARY BUT NEVEREASY.THIS IS DIFFICULT TIME WE ARESEEING DISTURBING SCENES FROMAROUND THE COUNTRY.WE ARE HEARING DISTURBINGMESSAGES FROM WASHINGTON.IN BOSTON, WE ARE KEEPING OURHEROIC PUBLIC SPACES SAFE FROMFREE-SPEECH.WE ARE LISTENING.I AM LISTENING.TO THE VOICES IN THE MESSAGES OFOUR BLACK NEIGHBORS WHO AREHARMED BY SYSTEMIC RACISM EVERYSINGLE DAY.AS ELECTED OFFICIALS, IT IS TIMETO LISTEN AND LEARN AND KEEPTHOSE VOICES AT THE CENTER OFTHE CONVERSATION.NOT JUST FOR TODAY, NEXT WEEK,OR NEXT MONTH.FOR OUR ENTIRE CAREERS.IT IS TIME TO