A “Black Lives Matter” banner hangs above the entrance of City Hall in Somerville. — Photos by Bobbie Toner

By Jim Clark

A “Black Lives Matter” banner was hung outside of City Hall in Somerville on Wednesday morning.

According to media reports, Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone has been working with Black Lives Matter Cambridge in preparing the banner.

The mayor reportedly told media sources that displaying the banner makes a statement to the community that the city recognizes the problem of racism in our society.

Additionally, the mayor made it clear that hanging the banner should not be construed as representing any form of criticism of the Somerville Police Department. Instead, he said that he sees it as a statement of faith in the department.