12-08-14 Amended Council Agenda, Packet & Committee Meetings

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Remarks by the President After Announcement of the Decision by the Grand Jury in Ferg... Page 1 of 2 the 117d%i'}HOTISL PRESINEWBARACKOBAMA BRIEFING ROOM ISSUES THE ADMINISTRATION PARTICIPATE 1600 PENN Home • Bri h®g Raaao • Speeches R Remm�$s The White House Office of the Press Secretary For Immediate Release November 24, 2014 Remarks by the President After Announcement of the Decision by the Grand Jury in Ferguson, Missouri James S. Brady Press Briefing Room 10:08 P.M. EST THE PRESIDENT: As you know, a few moments ago, the grand jury deliberating the death of Michael Brown issued its decision. It's an outcome that, either way, was going to be subject of intense disagreement not only in Ferguson, but across America. So l want lojust say a few words suggesting how we mightmover forward. First and foremost, we are a nation built on the rule of law. And so we need to accept that this decision was the grand jury's to make. There are Americans who agree with it, and there are Americans who are deeply disappointed, even angry. It's an understandable reaction. But I join Michael's parents in asking anyone who protests this decision to do se peacefully. Let me repeal Michael's father's words: -Hurting others or destroying property is not the answer. No matter what the grand jury decides, I do not want my son's death to be in vain. I want it to lead to incredible change, positive change, change that makes the St. Louis region better for everyone. Michael Brown's parents have lost more than anyone. We should be honoring their wishes. I also appeal to the law enforcement officials in Ferguson and the region to show core and restraint in managing peaceful protests that may occur. Underst and, our police officers put their lives on the line for us every single day. They've got a tough job to do to maintain public safety and hold accountable those who break the law. As they do theirjobs in the coming days, they need to work with the community, not against the community, to distinguish the handful of people who may use the grand jury's decision as an excuse for violence — distinguish them from the vast majority who just want their voices heard around legitimate issues in terms of how communities and law enforcement interact. Finally, we need to recognize that the situation in Ferguson speaks to broader challenges that we still face as a nation. The fad is, in too many parts of this country, a deep distrust exists between law enforcement and communities of color. Some of this is the result of the legacy of racial discrimination in this country. And this is tragic, because nobody needs good policing more than poor cemmunites with higher dime rates. The good news is we know there are things we can do to help. And I've instructed Attorney General Holder to work with cities across the country to help build better relations between communities and few enforcement. That means working with law enforcement officials to make core their ranks are representative of the cemmunlfies they serve. We know that makes a difference, It means working to train officials so that law enforcement conducts itself in a way that is fair to everybody. It means enlisting the community actively on what should be everybody's goal, and that is to prevent crime. And there are good people on all sides of this debate, as well as in both Republican and Democratic parties, that are interested not only in rifling up best practices — because we know, that there are communities who have been able to deal with this in an effective way— but also who are interested in working with this administration and local and state othcials to start tackling much - needed criminal justice reform. So those should be the lessons that we draw from these tragic events. We need to recognize that this is not just an issue for Ferguson, this is an issue for America. We have made enormous progress in race relations over the course of the past several decades. I've witnessed that in my own life. And to deny that progress I think is to deny America's capacity for change. Gala4Uak EelEmailUpdehs- Search LATEST SLOG POSTS December 01, 2014 6:00 AM EST Three Stepsto Helppzottttym pasonaj lolauncruon on Q'herMonday Cyber Monday is far and away the busiest online shopping day of the year— here's what you need to know about shopping securely today. November 2e. 2014 3 00 PM EST f[on Records Released 3oret&n s � A Today's record release brings the total number of mWrtla made public by this White House to more than 3.96 million. November 23, 2014 11:47 AM EST The s®sq($rieftrasTre Arti%wat the R'hue How First Laity Michelle Obama, Seethe. and Melia greeted this years official Christmas tree and the Botek family who grew the free on the Crystal Spring Tree Farm in Leighton, PA. YENaLL BExiehn etnn PosTs Facebook YouTube Twitter vimeo Flickr iTunes Google+ Linkedln Sul hfp: / /www.whitehouse.gov /the- press - office /2014/ 11 /24/ remarks - president- after - announce... 12/1/2014