To: Residents of Hot Springs and Board of Directors
From: Mayor Pat McCabe
Date: Saturday, August 19, 2017
RE: Confederate Square Group Rally
Like many of you, I had some justified concerns about today’s rally. While Hot Springs has had many similar rallies sponsored by the Confederate Square Group, today’s event was preceded by last week’s atrocities in Charlottesville. With continued prayer for the residents of Charlottesville, our city government and public safety departments prepared for and executed a successful community safety plan today.
Having witnessed firsthand the efforts of those in the Emergency Operations Center, I would like to thank all the employees of the City of Hot Springs; City Manager’s office; Chief Jason Stachey and the Hot Springs Police Department; Chief Ed Davis and the Hot Springs Fire Department; Arkansas State Police; Arkansas Fusion Center; Garland County Sheriff’s Office; National Park Service; FBI; LifeNet; Garland County Department of Emergency Management; area hospitals; and the assets offered by Governor Hutchinson. Collectively, their actions provided for a peaceful demonstration where Americans were able to express their freedom of speech.
Our community rose above divisiveness and discord and there is no question that today we came together to mutually protect citizens’ safety and the liberty of free speech.
Pat McCabe
Hot Springs Mayor