National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial issued the following statement in response to the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police:
“The National Urban League joins the Urban League of the Twin Cities and champions for justice across the nation in calling for the arrest and criminal prosecution of the former Minneapolis police officers involved in the brutal death of George Floyd.
The digital age has exposed the pervasiveness of racially-motivated violence by police and self-appointed vigilantes that African Americans have endured for generations. It is a thread that runs from the institution of slavery through Emmett Till to Trayvon Martin and Ahmaud Arbery. What is striking about George Floyd’s death was the cruel taunt of the officer who held him down, and the dispassionate manner of the officer standing by as the crowd begs for the assault to end.
We cannot allow ourselves to grow numb to such brazen flouting of the law and human decency. George Floyd’s death must be met with justice.
Mayor Frey’s swift action in terminating the officers involved is commendable, but it is only a first step. Officers who behave that way when cameras are trained on them cannot be given the benefit of the doubt when they believe no one is watching. Their records must be thoroughly examined in light of the racism and inhumanity they displayed during George Floyd’s deadly assault.
We stand with the Urban League of the Twin Cities in demanding the following:
- Immediate identification of the four former officers involved in killing Mr. Floyd
- Arrest and criminal prosecution of the four former police officers.
- Immediate public release of all bodycam footage of the incident captured by MPD and Minneapolis Parks Police.
- The appointment of an experienced, independent expert from outside the d to investigate the conduct of the four officers
Our hearts are with Mr. Floyd’s family and the people of Minneapolis.
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