***STATEMENT***
Former Federal Prosecutor Mimi Rocah Condemns Murder of George Floyd in Minnesota, Calls for Police Accountability.
WESTCHESTER, NY - Mimi Rocah, the 16-year federal Prosecutor running for Westchester District Attorney, today issued the following statement:
“I am devastated and heart-broken for George Floyd and his family. It should not be understated -- he was senselessly murdered in a despicable act of violence by a police officer, while three others, entrusted to protect and serve the public, stood by doing nothing. The Hennepin County Attorney must act immediately to ensure that all four police officers involved in his death are charged.
Racism is far too prevalent in our country, especially in our criminal justice system, and it has been shamefully and tragically encouraged by the president. African Americans are disproportionately arrested, prosecuted, and incarcerated, including here in Westchester. They are disproportionately harmed by acts of police brutality. These are the facts, and if we are truly going to address injustices like George Floyd’s death, we must confront racism head on.
As a prosecutor, I have been fortunate to know and work with many good police officers who care about their community and do their jobs with integrity and honor. And sadly, I have seen reports of too many who violate their oaths of office and betray the trust that has been placed in them by the people they serve. The reality is that these types of acts of police brutality have eroded trust in law enforcement for decades, making the job of every good police officer and every prosecutor more difficult. Real accountability, including the arrest and prosecution of those officers who violate the law, is the only way we can begin to repair the damage and make our community safer for all people. Law enforcement and prosecutors at every level must speak out and condemn wrongful acts of police violence.
Our country was built on the promise of equality and senseless acts like this remind us that we have a long way to go. We can and must do better.”
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