Former President Barack Obama spoke out live Wednesday for the first time since the start of the national unrest over the killing of George Floyd.
“I’m urging every mayor in this country to review your use of force policies with members of you community and to commit to reforms,” Obama said.
“Let’s go ahead and implement those. We need those in positions of power to say this is a priority.”
The town hall event is the first time Obama has made public remarks about the protests that have swept the nation in response to the death of Floyd, who died last week after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes.
The online conversation was hosted by the Obama Foundation and a part of an initiative Obama started while in the White House called My Brother’s Keeper, which was intended to address persistent issues facing young men of color.
Obama praised young people for taking to the streets. He also commended those in law enforcement who want to see policing reforms in the U.S and urged people to vote as well as participate in demonstrations.
“Part of what’s made me so hopeful is the fact that so many young people have been galvanized and activated and motivated and mobilized. Because historically, so much of the progress that we’ve made in our society has been because of young people,” Obama said.
“I want you to know that you matter.”
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