WASHINGTON, D.C. - Center for Responsible Lending President Mike Calhoun released the following statement today on the recent protests that took place over the weekend:
Communities across the country rightly expressed their raw, unfiltered emotions because of the complacency that has allowed racism and oppression to continue in the United States. The senseless killings of unarmed black men and women—like George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and so many others before them—by irrational, and often racist, law enforcement officers are both heart-shattering and enraging.
These incidents aren’t new or unique—for decades, our criminal justice system has tilted against people of color, which has resulted in multiple atrocities where Black, Latino, Asian, and Native people have been dehumanized, humiliated, disrespected, and murdered in public spaces. The only thing that’s changed is the medium in how we see these violent acts unfold, often recorded on video by courageous people for the public to witness.
We need transparency and accountability in our justice system. It’s not enough for our police to just treat people like human beings, we need good law enforcement officers to speak out when they see wrong, and we need our lawmakers and public leaders to be at the center of this change--not behind a phone or computer screen encouraging violent acts on social media.
Our hearts and prayers are with the Black families who’ve lost their loved ones and with the Black community and their allies who are peacefully protesting to end all forms of racism.
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Press Contact: ricardo.quinto@responsiblelending.org