Friends,

The murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer was an act of racially-biased violence that we all must condemn. But it was not an isolated incident.

Excessive police force has resulted in the deaths of countless Black people. We remember their names: George Floyd, Laquan McDonald, Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner, Freddie Gray, and so many others who deserved better from those who pledged to protect and serve their communities.

But remembering is simply not enough.

Our federal, state and local governments must take ACTION to prevent more police-involved acts of violence and to ensure accountability after the fact.

Officers should be required to undergo extensive training to help them recognize their own biases before they ever go out into our communities. And independent prosecutors should be appointed to investigate law enforcement officials’ use of deadly force. Otherwise, you have a situation where local prosecutors are asked to investigate — and potentially prosecute — local police departments they rely on and work closely with on a daily basis, creating a clear conflict of interest.

I’m using my position in the Senate to advocate for these and other reforms of our criminal justice system — but at this moment, one of the best things we can do is support organizations that are working to advance racial justice and protect protesters in communities across the country.

So if you’re able, please split a donation between the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and the Chicago Community Bond Fund. These organizations are doing critical work and need our support right now.

Systemic racism has always been present in this country. That’s an uncomfortable truth to accept — but if we look away and refuse to confront these issues head on, we will not solve them.

This can’t continue to be our nation’s normal. It must change, and we can lead that change together.

Thank you for reading.

Stay safe,

Tammy Duckworth

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