The fatal shootings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile have caused frustration and anger across the country, and the Commander in Chief feels those sentiments as well. President Barack Obama addressed the American public in a Facebook post Thursday, stating he and First Lady Michelle Obama understand the anguish many are feeling over the last few days:
“All Americans should be deeply troubled by the fatal shootings of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Philando Castile in Falcon Heights, Minnesota. We’ve seen such tragedies far too many times, and our hearts go out to the families and communities who’ve suffered such a painful loss.”
The president will reserve comment on these specific situations until all the facts are presented. But he commended the U.S Department of Justice for opening a civil rights investigation in Baton Rouge with such haste. He urged patience from the country but did not deny the fact the two fatal incidents were not random occurrences.
“But regardless of the outcome of such investigations, what’s clear is that these fatal shootings are not isolated incidents. They are symptomatic of the broader challenges within our criminal justice system, the racial disparities that appear across the system year after year, and the resulting lack of trust that exists between law enforcement and too many of the communities they serve.”
The president went on to commend police officers that put their lives on the line every single day, but he stated he wants officers and their prospective communities to be in sync. President Obama pointed to his administration’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing – an effort to bring together police officers, community leaders and activists and discuss ways on improving community policing – as a way to find solutions. He stressed that community outreach and coming together can help prevent fatal killings, such as Sterling’s and Castile’s, from happening again.
“Rather than fall into a predictable pattern of division and political posturing, let’s reflect on what we can do better. Let’s come together as a nation, and keep faith with one another, in order to ensure a future where all of our children know that their lives matter.”