Rep. Sean CastenVerified account

But what I do understand, is that those demonstrating are showing us the depth of the pain across our country from the years of systemic racism at every level of society and our failure to provide equal justice before the law. (2/7)

I understand that our constitution guarantees the right to assemble, and that @repjohnlewis did not dedicate his career to fighting for equality just to have the President assault peaceful protesters with tear gas and rubber bullets. (3/7)

I understand that what happened to George Floyd was not an anomaly. His death was part of a pattern—years and years of police brutality, systematic oppression, and painful inaction. (4/7)

For too long, injustices against people of color have persisted & the brutal murders of George Floyd & Breonna Taylor are just the latest in our long national history of oppression—from slavery to Jim Crow to denial of the right to vote that persists even today. (5/7)

I understand we must act now to address the root causes of inequities & reform our justice system so it works for every American. We must take this moment & transform it into effective action to address racism, to promote justice & to ensure equal protection under the law. 6/7