A message from Mayor Dwayne D. Warren, Esq.,
on behalf of the City of Orange Township.
The horrifying images of George Floyd’s death
at the murderous hands of the uniformed human rights violators on
the Minneapolis Police Department are deeply disturbing to all
decent people. Like you, I was disgusted by the video of Mr. Floyd’s
murder by those sworn to protect and serve the community.
As a father, husband, community servant and civil rights
lawyer I am certain that THERE IS NO PLACE FOR BIGOTRY
AND HATE anywhere. Furthermore, there is NO PLACE anywhere
for the abuse of another human being by ANYONE.
As it is in Orange, Law Enforcement must be committed to
justice, fairness, dignity, and freedom from racism. We must cling to
the abiding principle that human life is above all else in the enforcement of the law.
I am pleased that the New Jersey Attorney General has rolled
out a sweeping set of statewide policy reforms to promote the
culture of professionalism, accountability, fairness and
transparency that are hallmarks of New Jersey’s best law
enforcement agencies. While the Orange Police Department has
embraced these practices and has implemented local strategies to
improve police practices and community relations, it is high time for
national standards to be put in place that will uphold the principle
that human life and human dignity ought to be prioritized in any
policing model. This is especially true in the litany of police killings
that grew out of nonviolent, minor offenses and turned into ‘Death
by Police Contact”.
Most men and women of America’s Police Departments continue to
serve our community with fairness, sincerity, dignity, and respect for all. We should
all join the cacophony of praise and thanks for their efforts.
At the same time, we should vociferously condemn all those who
mock the law by using violent force against civilians without
justification under the cover of blueness. We must call it out
where we see it so that they do not smear all police officers who
uphold the highest standards of law enforcement.
We will not tolerate those who stain the profession and
promote hate and distrust amongst our communities. We stand with
our neighbors, first responders, public officials and peaceful
protesters around the world to say that unlawful violent police
actions will not be tolerated anywhere at anytime.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of George Floyd –
and all those who have suffered abuse at the hands of criminal police behavior.
Please be ever mindful that Black Lives gave birth to all of
humanity so Black Lives will always Matter.
Wherever you are – stand!
Raise your voice!
Change is here.
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