Newsweek
President Barack Obama has issued a statement about the two brutal police shootings that resulted in the death of Black men in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and the St. Paul, Minnesota area respectively. The incidents occurred within one day of each other.
Atlanta Black Star reports Alton Sterling was shot at point blank range and killed July 5 by police as he stood outside a convenience store selling CDs. Philando Castile was shot in the arm July 6 during a traffic stop in front of his girlfriend and 4-year-old daughter. He soon died. Both incidents were captured on video.
White House spokesperson Josh Earnest told reporters flying on Air Force One that Obama is “deeply disturbed” by the shootings and that he is closely watching both situations. However, Earnest adds the White House is not allowed to comment on matters currently being investigated. The president echoed that in his statement.
“All Americans should be deeply troubled by the fatal shootings of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Philando Castile in Falcon Heights, Minnesota,” he began. “We’ve seen such tragedies far too many times, and our hearts go out to the families and communities who’ve suffered such a painful loss.”
The Times-Picayune reports the U.S. Department of Justice is launching a civil rights investigation into the Baton Rouge shooting. FBI spokesperson told the newspaper federal officials will collect all available facts and evidence related to the matter in order to “conduct a fair, thorough and impartial investigation.”
Obama acknowledged that no matter what the investigation would reveal, “these fatal shootings are not isolated incidents.” He later pointed out the Task Force on 21st Century Policing he set up in 2014 and encouraged communities to do their part in mediating relations between cops.
“So even as officials continue to look into this week’s tragic shootings, we also need communities to address the underlying fissures that lead to these incidents,” he said. “And to implement those ideas that can make a difference. That’s how we’ll keep our communities safe. And that’s how we can start restoring confidence that all people in this great nation are equal before the law.”
Several citizens are displeased by the statement, specifically taking issue with the lack of consequences for police officers.
Marilyn DeNoia voiced how fed up she was with the “political double talk” and backed away from task forces.
Jin Wi believed the statement was “not good enough” and hoped Obama would help the African-Amercian community the way he has helped others.
