Whitefish Mayor John Muhlfeld says the actions of a man who shouted at protesters in downtown last week do not represent the community’s values.

Muhlfeld says the city continues to condemn any actions that reflect racism and bigotry.

“When this community has been faced with threats of discrimination and violence in the past, we have acted together to protect human rights,” he said in a statement issued Monday. “We take this responsibility seriously and will continue to act to protect and serve all citizens.”

Demonstrators have been gathering in downtown Whitefish in the evenings in front of City Hall to show support for the Black Lives Matter movement and protest the officer-involved killing of George Floyd, a black man from Minneapolis.

Last week a man allegedly became confrontational with protesters. The man can be seen in a video posted to social media shouting profanity at protesters and specifically targeting Samantha Francine, who looked him in the eye while he shouted.

Muhlfeld commended Francine for her ability to remain peaceful in the situation, and thanked her for her courage, wisdom and calmness.

Muhlfeld also thanked the Whitefish Police Department for its handling of the situation.

“We also applaud our own police department for calmly diffusing the situation and charging the individual with disorderly conduct,” he said. “Our officers clearly demonstrate what it means to serve and protect — and they continue to uphold our community with the highest of ethics. Excessive force by police officers anywhere should be condemned.”

Whitefish in 2016 adopted a non-discrimination ordinance which extends protections to residents based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Under existing state and federal civil rights laws, protections are only granted to individuals based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin.

Muhlfeld says the city continues to honor its responsibility to promote equality and diversity within the community and beyond.

“We have a strong inclusive community here, where neighbors help neighbors, people look you in the eye and say hello when you’re walking down the sidewalk, and we welcome people from all walks of life,” he said.

He says Whitefish is dedicated to protecting the First Amendment rights of all individuals to peacefully protest and continues to ask all who do so to respect each other’s rights and to remain peaceful.