Vigil for Saheed Vassell

This week in Crown Heights, we witnessed a scene too often repeated across our nation – lethal force used against a young unarmed black man. We need a full investigation around the police shooting. As a society, we have to make the message Black Lives Matter clear on our streets, clear to all charged with law enforcement, and up and down our justice system.

We should demand sound policing, quality police work – the best training, decision making, and accountability from the men and women serving as police officers. Police accountability matters – only through accountability and mutual respect can we heal police-community relations, instill trust, and build confidence. We need to take the steps across government, including police, including our justice system, and including people of good conscience to protect all New Yorkers.

The community coming together in a vigil and march yesterday serves as a step forward together.