ACLU of NebraskaVerified account

The demonstrations are in response to systemic racism in our communities and our country – racial injustice that has taken lives, fractured public trust and harmed people of color for too long.

Protesters were practicing their fundamental Constitutional rights of free speech, of assembly, and petitioning their government to seek justice. We are in solidarity now and always with people calling for racial justice.

At both scenes, law enforcement had two main jobs to do: protecting people’s right to protest and keeping everyone safe. They also had a choice in how to do that.

From what we observed, some actions – including use of chemical irritants, riot gear, and military vehicles - were unnecessary at best and contributed to escalating the situation for the worse.