I get that Mayor Johnson probably feels like it's his duty to attend, especially given the gravity of the situation, but if the family explicitly asked him not to, I think he should respect their wishes. There’s a time and place for political gestures, and this doesn’t feel like the right moment. It’s important for leaders to show empathy, but part of that is listening to what people actually want. That said, I also understand that as the mayor, he might feel like he represents the whole city and wants to pay his respects on behalf of everyone. It’s a tough balance, but ultimately, the family’s feelings should come first in this case. It’s not about optics—it's about respect.