WASHINGTON –-(ENEWSPF)–December 4, 2014. Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the grand jury decisions in Ferguson, MO and Staten Island, NY:
“The deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner are tragic, and my thoughts are with their families and friends during this difficult time. Their deaths, and those of too many others, mostly men and youth of color, have sparked a broader conversation about race and justice in America. This is a conversation that is greatly needed, and that we should all use as a catalyst to reflect on our current criminal justice system and how we can better work together to protect all Americans. Justice should be blind, but these kinds of tragedies and the raw statistics make clear that we have far to go, which is why I support the Justice Department’s independent investigations into the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner. I also fully support the President’s call for expanded use of body cameras, but we also must realize that fixing our society requires more of us than any single policy solution. I hope that out of this conversation, we are able to work together as communities and create change that will advance equality and make our communities safer for all — not just in Ferguson or New York, but all across America.”
Source: merkley.senate.gov
