Mayor Gabriel Rodriguez Issues Statement on Death of George Floyd
West New York, N.J. —Mayor Gabriel Rodriguez today issued the following statement on the death of George Floyd:
“We stand before you here today in the name of solidarity. George Floyd’s death, which earlier today was declared a homicide, is beyond a tragedy. It is a gruesome reminder that we, as Americans, as human beings, can NO longer continue to overlook, minimize or deny that there IS a problem in America. Our thoughts, prayers, and respect go out not only to George Floyd and his family but to all those who tragically came before him.
As the Mayor of an extremely diverse community with a Police Department which is equally as diverse, healthy positive relationships between the community and law-enforcement has always been a top priority for the department and myself. In the midst of chaos moments of unity like this one must absolutely occur.
As a man of color, I stand with those peaceful protesters. The desperate cry for change as it pertains to the treatment of African Americans and all people of color is something that affects us all. And that absolutely includes the good police officers you see behind me here today from our WNY Police Department. I understand the anger, I am angry too. But if we want change there cannot be anger without an organized agenda for real cultural and social reform.
As our cities and states begin to open up to this new normal, let us open our minds and make this new normal NOT ONLY about public health and safety but SOCIAL CHANGE and safety. Every American should feel safe when it comes to dealing with those who take an oath to protect and serve. Only through planning organizing and peaceful demonstration will an agenda truly gain the momentum it needs to make this vital social change IN our country.
The violence will not end if we continue to manifest our anger our desire for this change THROUGH the very same violence that we condemn. Acts of violence, be it as a result of police brutality or the criminality exhibited by looters COMPLETELY & ABSOLUTELY dilutes the message of positive change and reform. It drowns out that narrative and buries it the deep into the ground. Buried in the ground like the many who have lost their lives as a result of it.
As we continue to work to bring the infection rate down let’s simultaneously raise the awareness for this much needed change. George Floyd deserves that, good police officers like these deserve that, the community deserves that, America deserves that. We have to do better. We ALL have to do better.”