Statement from the Franklin County Democratic Party
The image of the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota will forever be imprinted on the hearts and in the conscience of Americans as a betrayal of our pledge to our national flag: …" One Nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all".
We mourn the death of others at the very hands of some sworn to preserve and protect citizens' rights under that sacred pledge.
The brutal murder of Mr. Floyd was particularly violent and inhumane, but his murder is nothing new. It is just the straw that broke the camel’s back. He is among a long list of Black people who have been killed by white police officers and white vigilantes. We cannot forget the violent killings of Travon Martin, Eric Garner, Sandra Bland, Philando Castile, Brianna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and so many others.
This is a difficult time for America. But for many Americans, especially those of color, the difficulty did not start recently. It is difficult to wrap our minds around the negativity being illuminated by the data, cameras, and the actions of some people in our nation. The once-in-a 100 years COVID-19 pandemic, the continual 400-year plague of racism, and the hate-filled words from people in powerful positions have given us pause. It has also given us an opportunity to retrospectively reflect and positively plan for a brighter tomorrow.
The Franklin County Democratic Party find the recent murder of George Floyd at the hands of four police officers in Minnesota reprehensible. We stand with the families of the fallen and the society at large, in demanding the law enforcement agencies address the injustice these deaths highlight.
At the same time, the Franklin County Democratic Party feels passionate about our commitment to Democracy, equal rights, and a civil society that promotes unity in Franklin County, this State and Nation.
We are committed to rooting out the systemic injustices being faced by African Americans and other people of color in our society. We must first acknowledge that justice is not always blind - especially when it comes to people of color. We are committed to the reforms necessary to help African Americans feel just as safe as white Americans when interfacing with our criminal justice system. Law enforcement agencies nationwide and locally must understand that the “blue wall” can no longer be allowed to protect corrupt law enforcement officials.
The Franklin County Democratic Party stands with those who seek change within our country's culture of division and lack of respect for others' rights, a change to a decent and peaceful opposition to injustice. We are a party of diversity and inclusion.
Police brutality is not just a Black or a police issue. It is an American issue; it is a societal issue; it is an issue of decency that we must all be willing to embrace and address. Our fellow white citizens must lend their voices and influences to lead the charge for change. If we do not stick together, we will all perish together.
It should be abundantly clear that voting must be the priority if our society is to make positive change. We must connect the dots between passionate demonstrations and the ballot box. We must elect politicians who share our values, needs, and concerns.
We are asking our leaders to re-examine priorities and to commit to taking a giant leap forward in recognizing and ending racism against all people of color and, in particular, Black Americans. That commitment must be sustained and ongoing long after the marches and headlines end.
We call on our leaders to establish an aggressive reform agenda that allows for increased transparency and accountability, including, but not limited to:
· Amending training for cadets to accurately portray the history of law enforcement.
· Amending policy to require officers to intervene when other officers use excessive force.
· Supporting the establishment of an independent prosecutor to work on cases of police misconduct.
· Improving programs that keep young people out of juvenile detention.
· Expanding mental health training for officers, as well as de-escalation and crowd control training.
· Figuring out how to better and more quickly identify problematic officer behavior.
· Making documents more transparent to the public, specifically on the use of force complaints, crime stats, department policies, and data on racial profiling.
The Franklin County Democratic Party believes wholeheartedly that there is HOPE for a better America. Working together with people of every generation, religious belief, sexual orientation, color, and creed will make America a better place for everyone to live. The interaction of Franklin County Sheriff Kent Winstead, Louisburg Police Chief Jason Abbott, and Louisburg Council Member Chris Neal with peaceful protesters here in our own community is a promising beginning.
Franklin County Democratic Party
Lucy T. Allen, Chair
The image of the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota will forever be imprinted on the hearts and in the conscience of Americans as a betrayal of our pledge to our national flag: …" One Nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all".
We mourn the death of others at the very hands of some sworn to preserve and protect citizens' rights under that sacred pledge.
The brutal murder of Mr. Floyd was particularly violent and inhumane, but his murder is nothing new. It is just the straw that broke the camel’s back. He is among a long list of Black people who have been killed by white police officers and white vigilantes. We cannot forget the violent killings of Travon Martin, Eric Garner, Sandra Bland, Philando Castile, Brianna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and so many others.
This is a difficult time for America. But for many Americans, especially those of color, the difficulty did not start recently. It is difficult to wrap our minds around the negativity being illuminated by the data, cameras, and the actions of some people in our nation. The once-in-a 100 years COVID-19 pandemic, the continual 400-year plague of racism, and the hate-filled words from people in powerful positions have given us pause. It has also given us an opportunity to retrospectively reflect and positively plan for a brighter tomorrow.
The Franklin County Democratic Party find the recent murder of George Floyd at the hands of four police officers in Minnesota reprehensible. We stand with the families of the fallen and the society at large, in demanding the law enforcement agencies address the injustice these deaths highlight.
At the same time, the Franklin County Democratic Party feels passionate about our commitment to Democracy, equal rights, and a civil society that promotes unity in Franklin County, this State and Nation.
We are committed to rooting out the systemic injustices being faced by African Americans and other people of color in our society. We must first acknowledge that justice is not always blind - especially when it comes to people of color. We are committed to the reforms necessary to help African Americans feel just as safe as white Americans when interfacing with our criminal justice system. Law enforcement agencies nationwide and locally must understand that the “blue wall” can no longer be allowed to protect corrupt law enforcement officials.
The Franklin County Democratic Party stands with those who seek change within our country's culture of division and lack of respect for others' rights, a change to a decent and peaceful opposition to injustice. We are a party of diversity and inclusion.
Police brutality is not just a Black or a police issue. It is an American issue; it is a societal issue; it is an issue of decency that we must all be willing to embrace and address. Our fellow white citizens must lend their voices and influences to lead the charge for change. If we do not stick together, we will all perish together.
It should be abundantly clear that voting must be the priority if our society is to make positive change. We must connect the dots between passionate demonstrations and the ballot box. We must elect politicians who share our values, needs, and concerns.
We are asking our leaders to re-examine priorities and to commit to taking a giant leap forward in recognizing and ending racism against all people of color and, in particular, Black Americans. That commitment must be sustained and ongoing long after the marches and headlines end.
We call on our leaders to establish an aggressive reform agenda that allows for increased transparency and accountability, including, but not limited to:
· Amending training for cadets to accurately portray the history of law enforcement.
· Amending policy to require officers to intervene when other officers use excessive force.
· Supporting the establishment of an independent prosecutor to work on cases of police misconduct.
· Improving programs that keep young people out of juvenile detention.
· Expanding mental health training for officers, as well as de-escalation and crowd control training.
· Figuring out how to better and more quickly identify problematic officer behavior.
· Making documents more transparent to the public, specifically on the use of force complaints, crime stats, department policies, and data on racial profiling.
The Franklin County Democratic Party believes wholeheartedly that there is HOPE for a better America. Working together with people of every generation, religious belief, sexual orientation, color, and creed will make America a better place for everyone to live. The interaction of Franklin County Sheriff Kent Winstead, Louisburg Police Chief Jason Abbott, and Louisburg Council Member Chris Neal with peaceful protesters here in our own community is a promising beginning.
Franklin County Democratic Party
Lucy T. Allen, Chair
