Political Quotes

“On Thursday of last week, I was proud to join my colleagues to vote for the historic George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. This legislation represents the first of many steps we need to take to achieve structural change in our criminal justice system, our police, and our society. The American people are demanding action, and they are not interested in more studies or talking points or half measures. I have been inspired by what I have seen in the Illinois communities that I represent, in places like Naperville, Aurora, and Joliet, where people of all backgrounds have come together to say enough is enough. I have been proud to stand with those in my district and across the country who are calling for change, and I am proud to help amplify their voices. We are all frustrated that prior action was not taken to prevent the horror that we have witnessed far too often of Black Americans being unjustly killed at the hands of law enforcement. For a lot of people, the video of George Floyd being killed when a Minnesota police officer knelt on his neck for nearly 9 minutes was shocking and put this problem front and center, as did the senseless and brutal killing of Breonna Taylor in Louisville. But for Black Americans, this is not a new problem. It is just more of the same, more senseless, unjust killings of Black Americans by abusive police officers, who often seem to be protected by law enforcement systems plagued by structural racism.…”