Black lawmakers want Brown, Garner families invited to State of the Union

[Omaha Steve]

Last edited Fri Dec 5, 2014, 11:18 PM - Edit history (1)

Source: The Hill

By Mike Lillis

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) are talking about inviting the families of Eric Garner and Michael Brown to President Obama's State of the Union address in Washington next month.

The lawmakers, who have universally condemned the justice system's response to the killings of the two black men at the hands of white police officers, say the presence of the two men’s relatives would send a strong signal that Washington policymakers are serious about tackling criminal justice reform head on.

“I think that would be appropriate and fitting,” Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), a civil rights icon, said Thursday. “It would help educate and sensitize other members and humanize some of the issues that we're going to confront.”

Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), another black lawmaker who has led the CBC’s charge against the militarization of local police forces, echoed that message.

FULL story at link.



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Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/house/226087-black-lawmakers-want-brown-garner-families-invited-to-state-of-the-union

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Maybe they can find a relative of Emmett Till to invite too?

[PoliticAverse]

1. You know what shows you are actually 'serious' - passing actual bills addressing the issue. n/t

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

2. With the teaparty in control? Not while they have a breath left...bad pun

[red dog 1]

4. If Republicans can invite Ted Nugent to SOTU, why shouldn't Democrats

be able to invite the Brown and Garner families?

http://www.thinkprogress.org/2013/02/11/1571751/texas-congressman-invites-ted-nugent-who-threatened-the-presidents-life-to-the-state-of-the-union


More on Nugent:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002585940/

[KamaAina]

6. I would like to invite Ted Nugent to STFU

[red dog 1]

7. You cracked me up with that one!

[KamaAina]

5. That's assuming there will even be a State of the Union

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025873767

[Blue State Bandit]

8. This only works if they seat them with Chiefs Robinson and Ramsey.

Optics-wize.

[Midnight Writer]

10. They should be seated next to Cliven Bundy

Cliven Bundy, a white millionaire who became a conservative hero when he refused to pay a million dollars in user fees and assembled a heavily-armed posse to confront the police when they came to enforce a warrant, and is still unpunished to this day.

Eric Garner, a black man who was attacked and killed by police because he was "suspected" of selling loose cigarettes without paying city sales tax.

The contrast should be revealing.

[FiveGoodMen]

9. Don't see how that will help anyone.

We need to prevent these things, not just look all sympathetic.