Cicilline Statement on Deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile

Statement

U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (D-RI), a member of the House Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement tonight on the officer-involved shooting deaths of Alton Sterling in Louisiana and Philando Castile in Minnesota:

"Once again, two young black men have lost their lives as a result of an encounter with law enforcement. The images we have seen broadcast on television, printed in newspapers, and shared on social media tear at our national conscience and cry out for change."

"These incidents are not isolated. They demonstrate the larger challenges we face in reforming our criminal justice system. In Rhode Island, African-Americans make up 6% of our state's population, but 30% of its incarcerated population. Black children in Rhode Island are 9 times more likely to be placed into juvenile detention than white children. We have to do better than this."

"Black lives matter. It's on all of us to acknowledge this fact, and to work towards meaningful reform. Alton Sterling and Philando Castile did not deserve their fates. My thoughts and prayers are with their families, loved ones, and our entire nation tonight."

Source