Americans must tackle racial bias and build a society that works for all, says former president
Former president Barack Obama said his and wife Michelle’s ‘hearts are heavy’ following the ‘senseless tragedy’ of Daunte Wright’s death. Getty Images/AFP
Former US president Barack Obama on Tuesday called for the country to “reimagine policing” amid protests and a trial in Minnesota over police using excessive force that led to the deaths of unarmed black men.
Mr Obama said he and his wife Michelle’s “hearts are heavy” following the “senseless tragedy” that saw Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old black man, fatally shot by a Minneapolis officer at the weekend.
Their statement followed a second night of violent protests over the killing of Wright in Minneapolis, where former police officer Derek Chauvin is on trial for the murder of George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man.
“The fact that this could happen even as the city of Minneapolis is going through the trial of Derek Chauvin and reliving the heart-rending murder of George Floyd indicates not just how important it is to conduct a full and transparent investigation, but also just how badly we need to reimagine policing and public safety in this country,” said Mr Obama.
Wright’s death ignited two consecutive nights of unrest in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, with hundreds of protesters clashing with officers outside the city’s police headquarters on Monday, despite a curfew.
Our hearts are heavy over yet another shooting of a Black man, Daunte Wright, at the hands of police. It’s important to conduct a full and transparent investigation, but this is also a reminder of just how badly we need to reimagine policing and public safety in this country.
Wright was shot on Sunday during a traffic stop after scuffling with an officer.
The officer mistakenly used her pistol instead of her Taser during a struggle with Wright, a local police chief said on Monday.
“Michelle and I grieve alongside the Wright family for their loss,” added Mr Obama.
“We empathise with the pain that black mothers, fathers and children are feeling after yet another senseless tragedy. And we will continue to work with all fair-minded Americans to confront historical inequities and bring about nationwide changes that are so long overdue.”
Our hearts are heavy over yet another shooting of a Black man, Daunte Wright, at the hands of police. It’s important to conduct a full and transparent investigation, but this is also a reminder of just how badly we need to reimagine policing and public safety in this country. pic.twitter.com/sgcbRjlApr
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) April 13, 2021
You can find resources and ways to help here Obama said.
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The site of Wright’s death is near to where Mr Chauvin’s trial is being heard.
Prosecutors rested their case Tuesday at the murder trial after 11 days of presenting evidence as well as a mountain of video footage depicting Mr Floyd’s final moments.
During the prosecution, the wrenching clips of Mr Floyd gasping for air were played for the jury along with other bystander footage and police body-camera video of the man’s slow death.
Mr Chauvin’s lawyer has argued that the white former officer did what he had been trained to do and that Floyd died because of his illegal drug use and a heart condition.
(c) 2021 International Media Investments FZ LLC. All rights reserved Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
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Imagine a policy where all families have 2 parents that care for their children and teach them right from wrong.
Here’s another take. Let’s rethink resisting arrest in this country. Hasn’t anyone noticed by now that the common theme in practically ALL police ‘murders’ is that the so-called ‘victim’, resisted a lawfull arrest? Conversely, practically ZERO people not resisting get killed by the police. I know, too basic an idea…
How about Obama re-imagining himself so he stops race baiting and spewing lies constantly.
Hell will freeze over before that ever happened.
hey-obama–how about black thugs reimagining themselves into law abiding citizens-
wow guess what-it says here that black deaths from police almost disappear
Hey Barack what about all the people black men kill?
THOSE lives obviously don’t matter.
What needs to happen is that black people and white people (they do get shot by police, too) need to stop when the police say stop. They need to not run (not a reason to get shot but it certainly doesn’t help matters). They need to realize that the cops are protecting themselves when they shoot because they fear for their lives (a perfectly valid reason to shoot). They need to realize that any objects in their hands could potentially be perceived as a weapon, whether it is or not. They need to not show ANY resistance to the cops, no matter what they have done or have on their record.
If people stop resisting, there is less likely to be a shooting, intentional or accidental.
Okay, let’s calmly reimagine a traffic stop. An officer notices that an auto with an unknown, solitary person, is not exhibiting a sticker to show that its registration fees are unpaid, as required by law. It may be that the fees were paid but the owner still has the renewal docs in the glove box. Or, maybe not? The officer decides to stop the auto to check. The officer approaches the auto, courteously asks for driver license and auto registration, which the driver courteously supplies. The unpaid registration is discussed and driver shows the auto is properly registered, but the renewal sticker is in the glove box. Driver gets out to apply the paid decal. The officer runs a routine check on the driver, learns there is an open warrant on him related to an armed robbery and assault. Officer again approaches s car, calmly tells driver about the warrant and tells him he is under arrest. Driver gets out, is willingly handcuffed and placed in the squad car. Driver is transported to a police facility for booking. NO DEATHS.
What about that, obama. No rude remarks, no scuffle or struggle, no running and no need to use a taser or a gun! Whites and blacks, Act in a non-hostile manner, follow routine instruction, and all is well. So yes, let’s reimagine…..but first, get your disciples to start obeying established laws! Second, use my reimaging, not your warped version of how to act toward others!
That would require the officer AND perp both show common sense…
Something verboten in today’s society..
When O’DingleBarry and other left-wingers talk about “reimagine policing”, here’s what they mean: Eliminating local and state control over police forces and have them all nationalized…. being controlled by the federal government. All city, county, and state police now being “federal police”, from your largest city to your smallest town. I can’t think of anything more horrendous and terrifying.