Louisiana Public Officials React to Dallas Police Tragedy
Public officials from Louisiana have released statements about a shooting in Dallas last night that left five police officers dead.
U.S. Congressman John Fleming:
"The ambush of police officers in Dallas should direct our attention to what the Dallas Police Chief David Brown said this morning, ‘We don’t feel much support most days. Let’s not make today most days.’
Too many of our elected officials have had a hand in fostering this sentiment and allowing undercurrents to exist. Seeking justice is always our goal but we see many too willing to circumvent that. Seeking peace is another goal. I introduced H.Res 430, a Congressional resolution calling upon the President to declare a National Day of Prayer for Law Enforcement. Unless we see leadership at the highest levels ready to defuse the violent rhetoric and seek peaceful dialogue, this trend will only continue.
We owe our law enforcement officers the highest respect. Police work is a dangerous job to begin with, and as the Dallas Police Chief noted, getting more dangerous by the day. While we must condemn any misuse of their authority, let’s not forget that by far police are fulfilling their duty to protect and serve. Please join me in praying for the victim’s families today, and for protection and appreciation for the majority of men and women in law enforcement doing their job.”
Louisiana Public Service Commissioner/U.S. Senate Candidate Foster Campbell:
"There is no justification for what has happened in Dallas. With the rest of the nation I am mourning the loss of the Dallas officers who, like all of our first responders, took an oath to serve and protect. As people gather together to speak out against injustice, we must count this among the injustices we seek to prevent and overcome."
Shreveport Mayor Ollie Tyler:
"I want to assure the citizens of Shreveport that our Police Department is here, as they have always been, ready to serve our citizens. We are aware of the recent tragedies that have occurred in our nation. Our thoughts and prayers are with Baton Rouge, Falcon Heights, Minn. and Dallas.
I want us, as a community to continue to foster the type of police-community partnerships that are essential to make our neighborhoods safer places to live. The affinity that I see throughout our city, between our Community Liaison Officers (CLO) and neighbors represents the sense of community that we need to get back to across this nation.
Those are the great examples of positive relationships between law enforcement and citizens."
State Representative Edward 'Ted' James:
"The morning after Dallas:
It is morning in America. We are at a societal crossroads. We will either rise together as a nation or we will utterly fail. The choice is ours to make. As I sit here and meditate on the events of the past week, my soul is aggrieved. I am trying to process how we went from community to chaos. I am trying to process how we got to this point in our nation's history. The only conclusion I can come to is that this has to be a setup for the comeback. This is a setup for a real dialogue on the issues that matter to the health and wealth of the citizens of this nation. We must focus.
I want to be clear that I categorically denounce the cowardly actions of those involved in the violent attack of the Dallas police officers. My prayers are with the families and community as a whole. No one, and I mean no one, can justify or rationalize the events that took place on last night in the midst of a peaceful protest. It is with that same fervor that I say to you that no one, and I mean no one, can justify or rationalize the events that ended the life of Alton Sterling or Philando Castile at the hands of police officers. As a community we can address both situations without robbing the other of its needed and focused attention.
We can no longer sweep the issues of senseless killings under the rug. Now is the time for that rug to be shaken and lifted. Now is the time for that rug to be washed, cleaned and hung out to dry in the fresh air.
We have work to do. What happened last night will only add to the dialogue that must take place. We must not allow it to change the narrative that demands justice for all."