Issued July 07, 2016
WASHINGTON - In response to police shootings in Louisiana and Minnesota, SEIU International President Mary Kay Henry issued the following statement:
“I am shocked and dismayed by the police shootings that have taken the lives of Black men in Louisiana and Minnesota over the past two days.
“SEIU members’ thoughts and prayers are with the families of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, and our members in Louisiana and Minnesota are joining in the local responses in Baton Rouge and the Twin Cities.
“But we know thoughts, prayers and protests are no longer enough. We need to hear that Black Lives Matter, not just from protesters but from our elected officials, and together we must take action to end structural racism in America.
“The use of excessive force by police officers against Black people is a national problem that must be addressed by our nation’s leaders. America won’t succeed if we don’t prioritize dismantling structural racism and ending anti-Black racism.
“It is important that we take care of one another during this difficult time. The psychological trauma of the continuous attacks on Black people affects our emotional and physical well-being, individually and collectively. When we see our brothers and sisters attacked, our own sense of safety and security is also attacked.
“May everyone involved in these tragedies find justice and peace.”