Speaking to a group of law enforcement officials yesterday, President Obama offered his support to the Black Lives Matter movement.
USA TODAY reports that President Obama, speaking at a criminal justice panel, boldly told officers that it’s crucial that the country takes the Black community’s concerns seriously.
“The African-American community is not just making this up,” he said. “It’s not something that’s just being politicized. It’s real. We as a society, particularly given our history, have to take this seriously.”
He went on, confronting—and condemning—the controversial “All lives matter slogan,” saying that stance was a no-brainer.
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“I think everybody understands all lives matter,” he said. “Everybody wants strong, effective law enforcement. Everybody wants their kids to be safe when they’re walking to school. Nobody wants to see police officers who are doing their job, fairly, hurt.”
Speaking to a larger audience, President Obama said that the criminal justice crisis extends beyond the responsibilities of law enforcement officials, and he called on a wider community to help.
“If we’re not investing in opportunities for poorer kids and then we expect police and prosecutors to keep them out of sight and out of mind, that’s a failed strategy.”