New Haven — State and federal prosecutors in Connecticut have joined law enforcement officials, New Haven's mayor and members of the city's clergy in issuing what they call a "statement of conscience" decrying racial violence and vowing to help prevent it.

The leaders say they chose not to remain silent in the wake of last month's killings at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina.

Connecticut's U.S. Attorney, Deirdre Daly; the FBI's special agent in charge for Connecticut, Patricia Ferrick; New Haven State's Attorney Michael Dearington; Mayor Toni Harp and Police Chief Dean Esserman are among the signatories, along with 23 members of the city's clergy.

Among other things, they say they will work to "boldly create opportunities to promote racial healing and reconciliation that will lead to genuine racial and economic justice."