Congressman Gregory W. Meeks Statement Regarding Protests in Baltimore

April 27, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Gregory W. Meeks released the following statement regarding the protests in Baltimore:

My sincere condolences go out to the family, friends, and community of Freddie Gray whose life was tragically taken from him while in police custody. These incidents of deadly police force in our communities, particularly against African American men, are disturbing and need to be investigated and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. They signify the systemic failures in our society that leave men of color particularly vulnerable to abuse by authorities. For too long, the police community has been shielded behind a blue wall of silence and it's time for that to change. I am pleased that the Department of Justice has decided to investigate this incident and look forward to their findings.

While I understand and share in the anguish felt by those in Baltimore, I’d like to stress the importance of peaceful protesting. Let us not diminish the crucial message of justice for all by resorting to senseless acts of violence. I urge the people of Baltimore, others around the nation, including my constituents in the Fifth Congressional District of New York, to continue to push for change but to do so in a peaceful manner that does not compromise the integrity of the movement.