Today, President Obama addressed the families of the fallen and the Dallas community at an interfaith memorial service to honor the five police officers who died in the line of duty last Thursday, July 7.
Earlier in the day, the president placed a phone call to Philando Castile’s mom, Valerie Castile, and informed her that he would mention her son at the Dallas memorial. He kept his word, stating:
“These men, this department, this is the America I know. And today in this audience, I see people who have protested on behalf of criminal justice reform grieving alongside police officers. I see people who mourn for the five officers we lost, but also weep for the families of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile. In this audience, I see what’s possible.”
and
“Just as we should hear the students and co-workers describe their affection for Philando Castile as a gentle soul. Mr. Rogers with deadlocks, they called him. And know that his life mattered to a whole lot of people of all races, of all ages, and that we have to do what we can without putting officers’ lives at risk, but do better to prevent another life like his from being lost.”
See his full remarks in the video below:
Information and video courtesy of WhiteHouse.gov.
Reach the MSR staff at msrnewsonline@spokesman-recorder.com.