Members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) are talking about inviting the families of Eric Garner and Michael Brown to President Obama’s State of the Union address in Washington next month.
The lawmakers – who have universally condemned the justice system’s response to the killings of the two black men at the hands of white police officers – say the presence of the two men’s relatives would send a strong signal that Washington policymakers are serious about tackling criminal justice reform head on.
“I think that would be appropriate and fitting,” Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), the civil rights icon, said Thursday. “It would help educate and sensitize other members and humanize some of the issues that we’re going to confront.”
Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), another black lawmaker who has led the CBC’s charge against the militarization of local police forces, echoed that message.
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Although, having the families of Michael Brown at the State of the Union may be more representative of our government than what our founding fathers gave us.
David DeGerolamo
