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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-04-20 George Floyd Press ReleaseTim Scott President Karen L. White Vice -President Sharon L. McBride Chairperson, Committee of the Whole Tim Scott First District Henry Davis, Jr. Second District Sharon L. McBride Third District City of South Bend Common Council 441 County -City Building + 227 W. Jefferson Blvd South Bend, Indiana 46601 NEWS RELEASE (574) 235-9321 Fax (574) 235-9173 TDD (574) 235-5567 http://www.southbendin.gov Subject: Response to Killing of Mr. George Floyd Date: Thursday June 4, 2020 From: South Bend Common Council—�— Contact: Bob Palmer, bpalmer�4southbendin.gov Justice and Dignity for All Members of the South Bend Common Council condemn the brutal public killing of Mr. George Floyd. These are harsh words, but no words are harsh enough to express the anger, frustration, and fear caused by the scenes that have played out on television and social media innumerable times over the past week. We share in the outrage and disappointment regarding the actions of a police officer who continued to force his knee on Mr. Floyd's neck while other officers stood in inactive silence. The only words heard were Mr. Floyd's, crying "I can't breathe" and calling for his dead mother. Troy 'Warner Some have these feelings because they see it in terms of a black man and a white Fourth District police officer. Others share these feelings because they see it in terms of a man accused of a minor crime being killed on our streets without even a chance for Jake Teshka justice. Still others share these feelings because Mr. Floyd's death is another Fifth District example of the disregard some in our society have for human life. Sheila Niezgodski Sixth District Whatever the precise reason for a person's feeling of outrage, there is no denying the history of black men being killed by white police officers. That outrage has Karen L. White been, and continues to be, felt locally through the killing of Eric Logan last year. At Large The original outrage is compounded by an investigation into the shooting which left many valid questions unanswered in many people's minds. This outrage stems from Rachel Tomas Morgan historical injustices and racial disparities that have existed in our country for At Large hundreds of years. It must change and it must change now. Lori K. Hamann The residents of South Bend apparently understand the problem of uncontrolled and At Large unnecessary violence better than many others. They expressed their outrage, frustration, and fear through peaceful calls for change instead of the violence and property damage caused by a small number of people that played across our television screens over the past weekend. You demonstrated that we are better than that. Just as the South Bend Common Council continues to fight for change and justice in the wake of condolences expressed for Eric Logan's family, the Common Council extends its sincere and deepest condolences to Mr. Floyd's family and friends, as well as to the people of Minneapolis and everywhere else who are struggling to deal City of South Bend Common Council 441 County -City Building i 227 W. Jefferson Blvd South Bend, Indiana 46601 (574) 235-9321 Fax (574) 235-9173 TDD (574) 235-5567 http://www.southbendin.gov with the aftermath of the murder. In doing so, the Council continues to demand justice and dignity for all. In that regard, the Council will continue to work to eliminate acts of violence between police and residents as we continue to build trust between police and residents. Before the COCID-19 pandemic slowed everything down, the police, the Mayor, citizens, the Board of Public Safety and the Council were working on a policy matrix regarding use of force and equality of justice for all residents of South Bend. The Common Council is also studying and will consider the possibility of a citizen review board for pol icjlW..�i South Bend, together with other legislation working towArds inclusive justice. "—T Tim Sca cil Member i n}AAJo"ge Council ivtpiber QL Sly 15I ict o ci bea Troy er,1h ist 'ct C�ember Jake eshka. 5thDistrict Council Member Council Member Rachel Tomas Morgan, At Large Council Mqmbo ren L. White, At Large Cou Member