The frequency of these incidents is soul-crushing and distressing. That they so often happen in the presence of the 'victim's loved ones is heartbreaking. A generation will grow up with scars where their father, mother, brother, sister, son or daughter should be. In the wake of these murders are broken hearts, broken families, broken communities, and broken trust. These conditions' cumulative effect continues to take a heavy toll on our society and yearns for disruptive change.

We are angered by the half-hearted promises of change and greater accountability in our nation's policing system. Repeatedly, Black communities are driven to grief, anger and fear by those sworn to protect them as citizens of this nation at a disproportionately higher rate than other groups.

We must not succumb to the temptation to accept these situations as "normal." We deserve better, and demand better. We are entitled to human dignity underpinned by an unbiased justice system that will seek to protect us rather than oppress us. We are entitled to the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity, and protection against cruel and unusual punishment as promised in the United States Constitution.

We must continue to demand accountability and see real commitment to the elimination of racial inequities embedded in many policing systems in this country. We demand policing that will increasingly emphasize deescalating situations over lethal force and eliminate the racial profiling caused by implicit bias that too often causes routine law enforcement activities to disproportionately result in the loss of lives for Black and brown people.

The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center stands with those in this nation who are mourning, are hurting and are angry. I challenge you to channel those emotions toward advocacy. Protest vigorously to make your voices heard, but do so peacefully, so that we can mend our country without adding more scars.”