Statement of Third Way President Jon Cowan on the Racial Justice Crisis

WASHINGTON—Third Way released the following statement from Jon Cowan:

“Our country is wounded. We already were reeling from historic public health and economic disasters that have hit black people and other people of color with even greater ferocity. Now, these same communities must face once again this nation’s lack of equal justice under law. The murder of George Floyd is only the latest in a long and terrible history of police brutality that they have suffered. This has sent people into the streets in anger and pain in nearly every city in America.

“In the midst of this series of cascading national emergencies, we face a vacuum where we should find presidential leadership.

“Donald Trump’s unfitness for the office he holds has always been clear, but the scale of his inadequacy, and the many ways in which he deliberately seeks to divide and demonize, has been magnified by crisis. Nowhere is this clearer than on the painful issues of race and police violence.

“Such a moment demands thoughtful, caring, and serious presidential leadership and action. We need our leaders to help us heal and, in the eloquent words of Senator Booker (D-NJ), point us toward “a rush to justice.” Yet we do not call on Trump to speak or act, because we know that when he does, he consistently makes matters worse.

“We are inspired by the commitment of those protesting and stand with those demanding real change to the justice system. We are hopeful for a better future, and we are fully committed to doing our part to create it. We will not find leadership or comfort from this president; let us find leadership and comfort from one another.”