‘The death of George Floyd should be a wakeup call for Americans of all races and backgrounds’

Frank Pallotta, Republican candidate for New Jersey’s Fifth Congressional District, issued the following statement this week:

All Americans can agree that the shocking death of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer was sickening, and unacceptable. When I saw the video, I was horrified that one human being could so mercilessly treat another in that manner – particularly someone in a position of trust and power.

Our treasured First Amendment protects the rights of all Americans to lift their voices in prayer and protest for change. “We are long overdue for serious and substantive conversations about racial disparities in wealth, justice, education and more.

It’s unfortunate that looting and rioting by radical elements have co-opted the message of peaceful protest and have engaged in senseless acts of violence and death against police officers who protect us and hard-working businesses owners trying to earn a living.

Even more troubling are the serious measures being contemplated in American cities to defund the police. The vast majority of law enforcement officials are dedicated men and women who are wholly committed to serving their communities.

The death of George Floyd should be a wakeup call for Americans of all races and backgrounds, but discussions of abolishing or defunding our police departments should not be countenanced by any credible leader.