U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), the highest ranking Latino in Congress, today expressed support for the peaceful demonstrations across the country in the wake of the killing of George Floyd, and called on Congress to take concrete action to end the systemic racism, injustice and inequality that continues to plague the nation and hurt communities of color.
Below is the full statement issued today by Sen. Menendez:
“Monday night, the world witnessed the horrifying sight and desperate screams of American citizens fleeing for safety as they were chased down, shot with rubber bullets and tear-gassed by police and military acting on orders from the President of the United States.
“Never before in my lifetime has a president ordered military force against American citizens exercising their First Amendment rights to peacefully protest. President Trump did it. For a photo op.
“At a time when our nation yearns for real leadership and a unifying voice, this president has chosen to incite more violence and inflict further suffering.
“The President’s actions were immoral, unconstitutional, unlawful and a sickening, self-serving abuse of power.
“This isn’t Castro’s Cuba, Putin’s Russia, Maduro’s Venezuela or communist China where strongmen have routinely used force to quell dissent and stifle a free press. This is the United States of America where dissent is inherent in our country’s DNA, peaceful demonstration revered as patriotic, and a free and independent press sewn into the fabric of our democracy.
“George Floyd’s senseless and tragic killing at the hands of police was just the latest in a long line of racial injustices against black Americans. It has galvanized millions across the nation to stand up and peacefully march in protest against systemic racism, inequality and injustice that has plagued our country since its founding, and that communities of color continue to endure today.
“Americans are reeling in agony, anger, and frustration. Their pain is real. Their demands for systemic change in our criminal justice system and an end to racial inequality in our society are just. I stand with them in solidarity and recommit to fight for their human rights and dignity. I, too, stand against the few who wish to exploit and undermine this national movement through acts of violence, looting and vandalism.
“This is a watershed moment in our nation’s history when we, as a people and as a society, need to ask ourselves if this is the America we want to live in. Is this the America we want our children to live in?
“If you’re black or brown living in America today, it is harder for you to vote, see a doctor, get a good education or find affordable housing. If you’re black or brown, you face a criminal justice system that is more likely to send you to jail. If you’re black or brown, you are more likely to live in communities scarred by legacies of neglect and pollution, faced with higher asthma and infant mortality rates, greater exposure to lead paint and shorter life spans.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted communities of color. If you’re black or brown, you’re more likely to be an essential worker on the frontlines with increased risk of exposure. If you’re black or brown, you’re more likely to have lost your job or your business. If you’re black or brown in this country, you’re more likely to get sick or die.
“And if you are a black or brown American, you have an absolute right to demand that your life be valued the same as others.
“This is a moment to transform this tragedy into something that honors Mr. Floyd by changing the course of events for generations to come. The American people are demanding real action and Congress must deliver. We must answer the call for community policing and criminal justice reforms that include providing federal funding to expand local police training, developing a national standard for excessive force and creating a national registry for police misconduct. And Congress must address systemic economic, social and environmental injustices once and for all.
“We can do this. We must do this. Together, we must finally fulfill the promise of a nation where everyone, regardless of their race, religion, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or country of origin is afforded the same unalienable rights and treated equally under the law.”
Police already said there was no tear gas, just smoke. And they didn’t fire to clear the park for Trump, they didn’t even know he’d be arriving at the time. They did it because the protestors were turning violent.
Why post Menendez’s quotes without proper context. C’mon TLS, you can do better.
So trump was planning on walking to the church without clearing the square?
I think he realizes that he would’ve been killed.
And I want to live in NJ without Menendez as my senator. Why do we keep voting these guys back in?
And who cares what the senator’s race is, aren’t we supposed to be a color-blind society?
Menendez, you are entitled to your blather. Try to convince your colleagues in Congress. I wish you the best of luck. I believe you will need to do that if that’s even possible, given that your suggestions are really not up to the Federal Government. You are free to try and use your power in your own state, where may you be able to convince the Governor and local authorities to follow, getting them a lot of money to waste and slush around with studies and consultants to explore what is essentially, and actually in place in most of New Jersey. Granted, there are some that do not follow the rule of law. That has been going on for thousands of years but criminal reform has traditionally been solved by severe punishment, not coddling them, as you may recall were you. Once you’re out, you too can vote and will likely lobby for who and what you want. Keep your driver’s license up to date. Again, I wish you the best of luck in your future job, outside of politics, where there are even more opportunities to do questionable stuff and more ways to hide.
Obvious and misleading statement such as the rhetoric that Menendez spouts on a regular basis has no business being on this site. This is the second recent post that TLS posted quoting senator Menendez’s rhetoric. Please post facts not rhetoric or at least put it in proper context.
Why in the world do we keep voting this guy in? Did anything he just say make any sense? Basically blamed it on trump? Hello?!? How were we so blinded in the past? He does not stand for anything we believe in! This is ridiculous! Readers- read and listen between the lines and stop voting these democrats back in !
And this sentence “ if your black or brown your more likely to get sick and die? What?!? Unbelievable! How can someone even believe that!!? Or say that? Read between the lines my friends!
#typicalmenendez
A peaceful protest????Did you see what went on? Did you see New York? Do you recognize fire when you see it? I am appalled at this guy. Yeah it was just a few little peaceful protestors who were all playing like good guys letting off a little steam cause they lost their basketball game. Nothing to get excited about. I feel like we have all lost it
I suggest everyone to stop voting for Democrats. They tried to impeach Trump and now they are blaming a Trump for protest and they are not allowing everyone to get back to work. People are sick of Democratic with their lies and ashamed. Stop voting for Democrats.I want see millions of people voting for Republicans Trump for President.
menendez is the man!
why do you even post this brainless liberal fool! he doesn’t let me make a bar mitzva for my kid with 40 guests in my 1 acre back yard, because he cares for my safety, but he encourages thousands to come scream together in the streets of our hoods, how do these foolish politicians get away with speaking from both sides of their mouth!
Hello people you see Democratic had lied to us.. When is RT 9 is going get wider??? Why are you people keep voting for Democrats?? Do you see how bad it is in NJ and NY??? Democrats have proved you how bad it is and can you see California also is such bad conditions too. Stop Voting for Democratic and I don’t care what people think about this. I want everyone Vote for Trump and not Biden. We can’t allow Democrats win again. They wasted million of our taxes money for Trump impeachment.. Wake Up America!!!!