CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) -The City of Clarksville will host a “Forum on Race & Justice”
featuring a moderated discussion among leaders of government, law enforcement  and faith-based organizations.

The virtual town hall event will be from 5-6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30. It will be live streamed from the City Council Chambers, 106 Public Square,  on CDE Lightband Channel 3 and online at www.cityofclarksville.com.

The community is invited to get involved in the forum by emailing questions in advance to forum@cityofclarksville.com and then gathering with family and friends to hear the discussion. Some additional questions will be fielded from the audience via email and social media during the event.

Clarksville City Councilman Richard Garrett will moderate the discussion.

“The event is designed to address citizens’ concerns and frustrations due to the indefensible murder of George Floyd in addition to the national mistreatment of protesters ,” Garrett said. “Citizens have already vented their frustrations via protests in the streets and now its time for them to have a platform to speak their concerns directly to the elected officials that have the ability to answer the questions and act on measures to help ensure Clarksville doesn’t have an incident like that and serves as a model for other communities to follow.”

The panel will include Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts and invited guests such as Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett, incoming Clarksville Police Chief David Crockarell, Sheriff John Fuson, state Sen. Bill Powers, state Rep. Jason Hodges, local NAACP leader Jimmie Garland, Pastor Anthony Daley and the Rev. David Allen. Gov. Bill Lee, U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn and U.S. Rep. Mark Green also will be invited to attend.

“The goal is to answer questions and open lines of communication to ensure Clarksville avoids confrontation and violence and serves as a model for other communities,” Mayor Pitts said. “Because of COVID-19 and social distancing, we can’t gather indoors for a large meeting, but we can use our technology and tools to host a meaningful community conversation.”