Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), senior member of the House Judiciary Committee, released the following statement concerning the tragic events of this past week – the killings of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, LA and Philando Castile in Falcon Heights, MN, as well as last night’s shooting targeting police officers in Dallas, TX:

“The tragedies of the past week are simply overwhelming – horrific scenes of violence and injustice fueled by hatred, anger and fear have shown us the ugliest side of our society. This country was founded on a set of higher principles, the idea that everyone is deserving of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. These are unalienable rights, which must be protected for all.

“This week has shown us that, despite great strides forward, the American struggle for equality remains as relevant today as it did 240 years ago. The tragedies of Alton Sterling or Philando Castile are not isolated, they are the most recent in what is a long list of senseless murders of black men, women, and children whose encounters with the police can only be described as the worst form of injustice and inequality. The additional tragedy of Dallas strikes at the core of all Americans, when those who put their lives on the line to protect, uphold and defend our rights become targets themselves because of who they are and what they represent.

“No one, no matter their race, religion, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, the clothes they wear or the uniform they serve, should ever have to live in fear for their safety or the safety of loved ones – not in New York, not in Baton Rouge, LA or Falcon Heights, MN, not in Ferguson, not in Orlando, and not in Dallas. These tragedies cannot be answered with prayers alone or a hashtag, this is an imperative for our country as a whole and we must work together to find a solution that guarantees liberty and justice for all.”

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