Friend,

Over the last month, millions of Americans heard the story of Elijah McClain. People all across the country have spoken out in anger about Elijah's death in police custody -- but the pain here at home is even more acute.

So when I saw police dressed in riot gear to confront peaceful protestors at his memorial -- including those who were simply playing violins in tribute -- I was shocked. Then, I was upset to learn that local police took inappropriate photos at the site where Elijah was stopped by police.

The lack of empathy is astonishing.

Look, I introduced the George Floyd Law Enforcement Trust & Integrity Act and voted to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act for Black Americans like Elijah McClain. We must raise our voices with the Black Lives Matter movement, but that is not enough. It's past time to take concrete steps to address these issues, and we need to reform policing in America and build trust between our police departments and the communities they serve.

The hard conversations we're having about police brutality and systemic inequalities in Aurora and in living rooms across the U.S. are necessary. We cannot lose steam even as Trump and Mitch McConnell refuse to prioritize Black lives and deliver the change the American people are demanding.

I'm incredibly grateful for those in our community and in Congress who are leading the way for progress. So I want to voice my inspiration and appreciation for the activists who are organizing and holding their leaders accountable; the leadership at the Aurora NAACP who continue to be at the forefront of our state's push for racial justice; and Ms. Sheneen McClain, Elijah's mother, who for months has fought for justice and has never wavered.

Thanks for doing your part, friend.

-- Jason