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Janik: Scottsdale's dark underbelly exposed for the world to see

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I am shocked and saddened at what I saw in Scottsdale on Wednesday.

The “unmask” demonstration is an offense to my very being.

The ridicule of the death of George Floyd at the hands of an out of control policeman is inexcusable.

Seeing a Confederate flag in front of our City Hall is appalling. What makes it even worse? It was organized by a sitting City Council member.

I know I speak for the vast majority of Scottsdale residents that we will not condone this type of behavior.

It was just reported that Arizona has the highest test positivity rate in the United States for COVID-19.

I value human life. I believe the primary responsibility of government is to keep us safe.

With the spike of COVID-19 victims flooding our hospital emergency rooms, hospital beds and ICU beds are in short supply. We are also low on hospital staff. The requirement by our mayor and Maricopa County to wear a mask when in public is perfectly reasonable and in our best interest.

Studies have shown this is very effective in slowing the spread of COVID-19.

What do the people who attended this rally stand for? Do they believe it is their right to put us all at risk because they don’t want anyone telling them what to do? Let’s show some common sense.

I say grow up, start thinking about the rest of us.

What happened Wednesday exposed the dark underbelly of our community.

Let us work together to show this is not who we are, it does not define us as a people. We are better than this. We are Scottsdale.

Editor’s Note: Betty Janik is a candidate for Scottsdale City Council in the Aug. 4 primary election.