The response comes as the caucus publicly criticized the city and state in a news release announcing the cancellation of the march. A rally that was scheduled at the Martin Luther King Park near Chaloner Middle School is still planned.

“We had previously developed, in coordination with the NC Department of Transportation and Halifax County Emergency Management officials, traffic control and logistics support measures to provide for the safe and efficient execution of the march to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Park as well as safe travel plans for residential and commercial traffic along the march route,” he said in the statement. “We also established plans to support the rally at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Park, per the Caucus’s requests.”

The statement continues: “We met with Halifax County Black Caucus representatives Thursday morning to review these measures and resolve any questions or concerns they may have regarding their planned events. The city administration feels we met our responsibilities in this event, being consistent with the city’s mission to provide planned, efficient and acceptable services for the citizens in a cost-effective manner.”