Statement from Rep. Bowen on shootings in Wisconsin, Louisiana, Minnesota, and Texas

Milwaukee – Representative David Bowen (D-Milwaukee) released the following statement in light of recent killings of Black citizens at the hands of law enforcement in Wisconsin and around the country and the shooting attack on Dallas police officers and protesters last night:

“At times there are clear reasons to give up hope that we as a community and a nation might treat Black citizens equally and equitably to their White brothers and sisters who engage with law enforcement and live on to make it back home to their families. Whether it’s a conversation, a verbal warning, a ticket, or an arrest, every person deserves the chance to get to that next step in the process. The same goes for officers who are committed to serving our residents. Every time they clock in for a shift, they deserve the chance to clock out and return to their families. No one deserves to have his or her life taken in a situation that can be prevented with other courses of action.

“This could be one of those times. We all are contemplating if this is too hard to solve and heal. But giving up means giving up on ourselves and the brighter and better future our community and our country deserve. This added trauma and heightened tension prevents us from building authentic, positive relationships between our communities of color and law enforcement committed to the safekeeping of our community.

“Just two weeks ago Jay Anderson, a 25 year old black man, was sitting in his car in a suburban Milwaukee park when he was approached by a police officer who shot him to death after seeing a gun in the car. On Tuesday Alton Sterling, a 37 year old black man from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was shot to death while pinned down on the ground and a gun was discovered. And on Wednesday in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota Philando Castile, a 32 year old black man, was pulled over on a routine traffic stop for a broken tail light and shot to death with a child and girlfriend in the car.

“At the same time, last night’s horrific situation in Dallas where twelve police officers and two protesters were injured from a shooting attack that left five officers dead is another obstacle that keeps us from working and engaging in dialogue with each other. This is not what we need.

“Real, authentic relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve will be built if we rise above the pressure to give up and focus on addressing problems and distractions. Clearly, we can’t afford not to any longer.

“I pray for all the families and all heavy hearts hurting from these situations. May God help us.”