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For Immediate Release
July, 08 2016, 03:30pm EDT
Contact:
Phone: (202) 463-2940,Email:,washingtonbureau@naacpnet.org
LDF Responds to Attack on Law Enforcement and National Tragedy in Dallas, Texas
The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) grieves, along with the nation, last night's devastating events in Dallas, Texas where a mass shooting on law enforcement took place in a week already filled with tremendous tragedy and loss. During peaceful protests in response to the recent fatal shootings of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Philando Castile near St. Paul, Minnesota, sniper attacks killed five police officers and wounded seven others, as well as two civilians, in a reprehensible and deplorable attack.
The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) grieves, along with the nation, last night's devastating events in Dallas, Texas where a mass shooting on law enforcement took place in a week already filled with tremendous tragedy and loss. During peaceful protests in response to the recent fatal shootings of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Philando Castile near St. Paul, Minnesota, sniper attacks killed five police officers and wounded seven others, as well as two civilians, in a reprehensible and deplorable attack.
"We are horrified by these attacks and stand with the people and police officers in Dallas," said Sherrilyn Ifill, President and Director-Counsel of LDF. "There is no justification for wanton and indiscriminate violence against law enforcement."
LDF's sincere condolences go out to all of the families and loved ones of each of these victims. While all of the details regarding this national tragedy and its aftermath remain unclear, the loss of life this week has left a deep and certain wound for many. The Dallas Police Department, widely praised for its handling of yesterday's otherwise peaceful rally, has also been touted as a department that has made significant, positive reforms in policing practices.
"As we mourn the tragic loss of life in Texas, Louisiana, and Minnesota, we remain hopeful that the fractured relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve can and will be healed," Ifill said.
Founded Feb. 12. 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest, largest and most widely recognized grassroots-based civil rights organization. Its more than half-million members and supporters throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.
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Fine, who has the endorsement of President-elect Donald Trump in his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives, called himself the "Hebrew Hammer" in a post on X on Tuesday and suggested Reps. Tlaib (D-Mich.) and Omar (D-Minn.) should leave office for their own safety.
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The Council on American-Islamic Relations, which has spoken out previously about anti-Palestinian and anti-Muslim statements by Fine (R-19), called the lawmaker an "unhinged anti-Muslim bigot."
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arrested 21 pro-Palestinian protesters who blocked the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade route.
According toABC 7:
For the second year in a row, the group ran in front of the Ronald McDonald float to briefly stop the parade.
This year, they jumped the barricades at West 55th Street just after 9:30 am.
Many sat on the ground, locking arms and chanting "Free, free Palestine!"
Others held a banner behind them, reading "Don't celebrate genocide! Arms embargo now."
Video footage shared on social media shows members of the New York Police Department grabbing protesters and their banner, and throwing at least one person face-first into the road.
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NDN Collective said that "as Indigenous peoples, we reject colonial holidays rooted in the genocidal erasure of our existence. We demand #LANDBACK to reclaim sovereignty, repair ties with Mother Earth, and protect Indigenous ways of life—honoring them for generations to come."
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