|
June 4, 2020
Dear Friend,
Many of us saw the tragic killing of George Floyd captured on social media and watched in horror as police officers ignored pleas and looked the other way as George Floyd repeatedly said, “I can’t breathe.” This devastating event shined a bright light on the historic and ongoing systemic racial injustices in our country and has resulted in civil unrest in San Diego and across the nation.
I've been listening to my African American friends and colleagues, reviewing proposed legislation and thinking of ways I can use my power as both a white American and as a member of Congress to address systematic racial inequalities in America.
Here is the statement I released yesterday:
On Tuesday, the New Democrat Coalition (NDC) held a call with the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Chair Rep. Karen Bass (CA-37) and African American NDC members who shared their experiences, perspectives and ideas for real steps Congress can take to dismantle systemic racial injustice in America.
Our country is in crisis, exposed recently by the murder of George Floyd. We can’t move forward until we tackle systemic racism in America. Our CBC colleagues reminded us that racism isn't an issue for Black Americans to fix – it's incumbent upon white Americans to fix.
I’ve never had to worry about mistreatment from the police because of the color of my skin, but I know that the experience of Black America is different. I am committed to working with my colleagues and my community so Black Americans can finally know equal justice under law.
To start, I will support a resolution authored by Rep. Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) and Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-05) condemning police brutality, calling for greater accountability, greater oversight, and civilian review boards, as well as Rep. Hakeem Jeffries' (NY-08) Eric Garner Excessive Use of Force Prevention bill that would ban the use of the carotid restraint. I'm looking at other bills to support, too.
As President Obama has observed, most changes we need will be local, where police departments exist. Last year, I was one of the first electeds to endorse the San Diego ballot measure to create an independent Commission on Police Practices and have urged that it be placed on the ballot.
This kind of reform–more transparency & independent oversight–can rebuild trust between the community & law enforcement. Citizens should feel confident those in uniform will protect us all equally. Rooting out bad actors will also help the credibility and effectiveness of police.
Our good cops must call out and root out the bad cops. We saw the police chief in Atlanta listen, the chief in Flint join the march, and other officers take a knee. Chief Nisleit banned the use of the carotid restraint at the San Diego Police Department (SDPD); the San Diego Sheriff did, too. We need to promote and reward more of that leadership from within.
Finally–and personally–I know for the rest of my life I will remember how I felt when I saw the video of George Floyd being suffocated to death. Sickened. Saddened. Repulsed. Enraged. I’ll never forget it, and I’ll never stop fighting to fix the system that let it happen.
I want you to know that I hear you - these are first steps that I will continue to follow with action.
As we all reflect on what more we could have done in the past, and how we can help create a better future, don’t let your frustration and pain become hopelessness and despair. Remain encouraged by the growing number of Americans who are calling for change in our country.
I hope you and your loved ones are staying safe and finding ways to safeguard your mental, physical, and spiritual health during these difficult times.
|
