Harris: People Will ‘Keep Dying’ If ‘We Don’t Fully Address Racial Injustice’
Vice President Kamala Harris is addressing the fatal shooting of Daunte Wright, a Black man, by a police officer in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota.
During a roundtable event on Tuesday, Harris — the first woman of color to serve as vice president — said, “Before we get started, I do want to address the killing of Daunte Wright. He should be alive today. And to his family and loved ones, you must know that the president and I grieve with you as the nation grieves his loss. And we stand with you.”
“Our nation needs justice and healing, and law enforcement must be held to the highest standards of accountability. At the same time, we know that folks will keep dying if we don’t fully address racial injustice and inequities in our country, from implicit bias to broken systems.”
Watch the video below:
VP Kamala Harris starts her Black maternal health roundtable by addressing the killing of Daunte Wright:
— The Recount (@therecount) April 13, 2021
"He should be alive today … Folks will keep dying if we don't fully address racial injustice and inequities in our country, from implicit bias to broken systems." pic.twitter.com/6OxMYkea69
Harris’ comments referred to the fatal shooting of Wright on Sunday by a police officer in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, after he was stopped for a traffic violation.
Brooklyn Center Police Chief Tim Gannon said at a press briefing on Monday, “This appears to me, from what I viewed and the officers’ reaction and distress immediately after, that this was an accidental discharge that resulted in the tragic death of Mr. Wright.”
Bodycam footage appears to show that the officer who shot Wright believes she was firing a taser and not her handgun.
Former President Barack Obama also weighed in on Wright’s death as he said it “indicates not just how important it is to conduct a full and transparent investigation, but also just how badly we need to reimagine policing and public safety in this country.”
Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) called for the dismantling of the policing system, “It wasn’t an accident. Policing in our country is inherently and intentionally racist. Daunte Wright was met with aggression [and] violence. I am done with those who condone government funded murder.”
“No more policing, incarceration, and militarization. It can’t be reformed,” she added.
It wasn't an accident. Policing in our country is inherently & intentionally racist.
— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) April 12, 2021
Daunte Wright was met with aggression & violence. I am done with those who condone government funded murder.
No more policing, incarceration, and militarization. It can't be reformed.
And ice cream company Ben & Jerry’s also called for the current system to be “dismantled and a real system of public safety rebuilt from the ground up.”