Donna Shalala Statement on Protests and Civil Disobedience in Miami-Dade and Across the United States

Statement

Today, Congresswoman Donna Shalala (FL-27) issued the following statement in response to the recent protests in Miami, Coral Gables and across the country:

"People are angry, and they should be. For generations, Black and brown people have been promised equal opportunity, respect, humanity, and justice, but they have seen little progress. The most recent police killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and others are painful reminders of the deep-rooted racism and inequality that persists in our country.

"Our democracy provides the sacred right to critique our government. I am proud of the hundreds of members of our community that peacefully exercised that right yesterday. I stand with them. Shame on the violent handful who distracted from this historic protest.

"We must vigorously and loudly voice our grievances while peacefully and lovingly respecting the safety of our neighbors and communities.

"The promise of equal justice for our Black brothers and sisters is long overdue. Their lives do matter. We must use peaceful means to realize that promise--not tomorrow, but now."

Source