WASHINGTON, D.C. — Nearly every member of Congress from Ohio has publicly reacted to the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the protests seen around Ohio and the country.
Below is a compilation of statements, Facebook posts and tweets released by Ohio’s congressional delegation throughout the last few days:
Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio): “Over the last week, Black communities across the U.S. and Ohio have led the nation in demanding justice for the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and so many others at the hands of police. When people come to the streets to peacefully protest, it is an expression of fear, grief, frustration and anger. And, most importantly, it is a call for change.
We need a leader who can rise to meet this moment, but instead we have a President who prefers to incite violence and deliberately divide our country. Our response must be to demand justice for all Black lives lost to police brutality, stand with the people who built this country and work with them to find long-term solutions to dismantle systems of oppression.
The best ideas won’t come out of Washington – the solutions we need to fix our justice system, address wealth inequality and disparities in health access, help communities that have been hurt by redlining and Jim Crow laws and so much more must come from the communities who have been excluded for too long. As a country, we must do better – the President is failing, but the American people can come together to create a more just society.”
Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio): “Encouraged that today an officer was arrested and charged with murder in the George Floyd case. As I said on Wednesday and again today in Dayton, what happened was outrageous, and justice must be done. Recent events like those in Central Park, Brunswick, GA, & Minneapolis are unacceptable. We need to acknowledge when racial disparities & injustices occur, and work together to address them. Riots resulting in looting, destroying property and small businesses are not the answer. Violent responses will only future divide our polarized country. The anger is understandable, and of course people have a right to peacefully protest, but meeting violence with violence makes things worse. We need to have a real dialogue about how we make more progress towards racial equality on a number of fronts.”
Representative Steve Chabot (R, 1st Congressional District): “What happened in Minnesota is horrific, and the officers involved should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. At the same time, I find it heartbreaking to see a reaction of violence and destruction in our city. We can all work toward a better future without causing more pain. Cincinnati is better than this.”
Representative Brad Wenstrup (R, 2nd Congressional District): “George Floyd should still be alive, and his death is a tragedy. Justice must be served. In the meantime, I urge everyone who’s willing to join me in praying for peace and healing for everyone affected. May God be with us. All Americans, from the President to the Governor of Minnesota on down, are united in condemnation of this brutal event. I support everyone’s constitutionally-protected right to protest peacefully. However, violence and riots have no place in our communities. Destroying or causing harm to innocent people’s property and livelihoods will bring no justice to George Floyd. We must be better than that and work together to fight injustice everywhere.”
Representative Joyce Beatty (D, 3rd Congressional District): “I am infuriated by videos and reports of unjustified killings of Black men and women at the hands of law enforcement. The history and trauma of racism and Jim Crow is not a memory of the past, but is a reality still today, exacerbated by the fact that Black Americans are disproportionately the targets of injustices ranging from mass incarceration and police brutality, to the War on Drugs and COVID-19. The recent killings of unarmed George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor reinforce these facts and harken back to the painful memories of Emmett Till. People are justifiably angered, crying out for answers but finding none. So, our community rose up in righteous anger, demanding justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and Christopher Radden, with the hope that demonstrating and protesting would bring to an end the legacy of racial terror that still plagues this nation. I too am angry, frustrated, and heartbroken by the countless injustices that often go unpunished that we have all witnessed on a regular basis. These dehumanizing acts of violence are an outrage and an American-made tragedy that continues unabated against our men, women and communities. Last night’s protest is a demand for change. How many more Black men must suffer or worse yet be brutally and callously murdered? America is watching. Where is the justice? How do we heal from the past memories of racial terror and lynchings when they are still alive today? I support peaceful protests for change and a path to restorative justice because now, more than ever, is a time for action and non-violence.”
Representative Jim Jordan (R, 4th Congressional District): “The Floyd family deserves justice. ALL responsible must be held accountable. Destroying churches, private businesses, and national monuments is not the answer. Law and order is needed now.”
Representative Bob Latta (R, 5th Congressional District): “The killing of George Floyd is abhorrent and appalling. Justice must be served, and cases of police brutality need to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The decision to have the Department of Justice conduct a criminal probe of civil rights violations in this case is also the right one. There must be accountability, and nobody should be above the law. There is a lot of hurt in our country right now. Now is not the time to be divided, and we must ensure there is racial equality. We must stand together so that all Americans are always treated equally under the law. Fighting hatred with hatred will only further divide us as a nation and is not the solution to the problems that face our country.”
Representative Bill Johnson (R, 6th Congressional District): “My heart breaks for the violence occurring all across America. What started as justified, peaceful protests over George Floyd’s tragic death that began in Minneapolis last week have devolved into wanton violence and mayhem. Antifa and other violent, extremist groups are exploiting Floyd’s death to attack American values, freedoms, and institutions: our small businesses, churches, law enforcement, national memorials, and the very communities, largely African American, that need help the most. The rioters aren’t seeking positive change; they don’t want to make our nation better. They want destruction, anarchy, and a breakdown of our society, and we cannot allow these acts of sedition to continue. Local, state, and national leaders across America must unite with a single focus to stop this senseless violence.”
Representative Bob Gibbs (R, 7th Congressional District): Has not commented
Representative Warren Davidson (R, 8th Congressional District): “George Floyd was murdered. We keep seeing officer involved shootings and deaths in custody that seem avoidable. More importantly, once an avoidable event occurs, prosecutors persistently avoid prosecuting. This situation rightly angers Americans across the political spectrum. But, while most Americans rightly support their police and law enforcement, many others have given up hope that law enforcement will ever live up to their high calling. We all know men are corruptible, and we increasingly perceive corrupted institutions. Racism has never been less acceptable in American society, yet it persists. In a speech entitled The Other America, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “…while the law may not change the hearts of men, it can and it does change the habits of men." Clearly, some of our habits need change. America must finish the work that our country deferred at its founding, refused to tackle earnestly following the Civil War, and corrupted following the civil rights movement. Look at how we’ve spent these past three years… Distrust is growing. Different reactions arise wherever the tolerance for injustice within the ranks appears to break along stark demographic and geographic lines – or partisan and ideological lines. Why? From that same speech, here is Dr. King speaking at Stanford University in 1967: “All of our cities are potentially powder kegs as a result of the continued existence of these conditions. Many in moments of anger, many in moments of deep bitterness engage in riots. Let me say as I've always said, and I will always continue to say, that riots are socially destructive and self-defeating. I'm still convinced that nonviolence is the most potent weapon available to oppressed people in their struggle for freedom and justice. I feel that violence will only create more social problems than they will solve. That in a real sense it is impracticable for the [African American] to even think of mounting a violent revolution in the United States. So I will continue to condemn riots, and continue to say to my brothers and sisters that this is not the way. And continue to affirm that there is another way.” Often, people quote this part of his speech, but forget this crucial follow-up: “But at the same time, it is as necessary for me to be as vigorous in condemning the conditions which cause persons to feel that they must engage in riotous activities as it is for me to condemn riots. I think America must see that riots do not develop out of thin air. Certain conditions continue to exist in our society which must be condemned as vigorously as we condemn riots. But in the final analysis, a riot is the language of the unheard. And what is it that America has failed to hear? It has failed to hear that the plight of the [African American] poor has worsened over the last few years. It has failed to hear that the promises of freedom and justice have not been met. And it has failed to hear that large segments of white society are more concerned about tranquility and the status quo than about justice, equality, and humanity. And so in a real sense our nation's summers of riots are caused by our nation's winters of delay. And as long as America postpones justice, we stand in the position of having these recurrences of violence and riots over and over again. Social justice and progress are the absolute guarantors of riot prevention.” Could that speech have been given this weekend? Absolutely. Prior inaction on accountability for criminal conduct by law enforcement has made this moment ripe. Evil men will exploit this moment – whether to stir up deconstructive revolution, or to preserve law and order along the same broken lines. Now is the time for deeds, not words. Our founding document sets the azimuth that has yet to be fully followed, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Let us seek a path that unites our communities to build and not destroy, to heal and not inflame wounds of past injustice, and set a course that ends this broken status quo. Law enforcement, though rightly esteemed in aggregate, persistently fails to be held accountable for their own unlawful conduct. No one is above the law, and no one is beneath it. Justice.”
Representative Marcy Kaptur (D, 9th Congressional District): “It is our duty as Americans to snuff out all forms of hate and racism. Those protesting peacefully are patriots. Their demonstration is as the Founders envisioned and they deserve respect and admiration for seeking a better America. They will make our country stronger. To the very small minority of people who have resorted to violence, consider the lasting effects such destruction will have on communities that too often are already struggling. Whatever your objective, you make harder the lives of so many people. Let the words of the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. guide you: ‘Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.’ I will continue to support those who are working to create a more just society. I will continue to work with local leaders and advocates to ensure that Northern Ohio leads the way in that fight. And I will continue to fight for the passage of important legislation in Congress, such as the Police Training and Independent Review Act, and efforts to revive the very successful community policing initiatives of previous Administrations. I invite people of goodwill from across Northern Ohio to join me in helping rebuild the torn spirits and burned blocks of our country. Let us rise from this deep tragedy and engage the true spirit of America. Let us do it in George Floyd’s memory, and the memory of every victim of racist violence. Let us unite with the grieving family of George Floyd and aspire to fulfill his family’s wish – justice and peace.”
Representative Mike Turner (R, 10th Congressional District): Has not commented
Representative Marcia Fudge (D, 11th Congressional District): “The excessive use of force experienced by George Floyd was unconscionable and inhumane. A week of peaceful protests and an outpouring of grief and pain laid bare the deep-seated frustration of a people who have gone unheard and undervalued for generations. We must not let violent and looting detractors muddy the message and our demands for justice. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. defined a riot as ‘the language of the unheard.’ America, can you hear us now? Time and again, we are forced to witness Black men and women killed by the very people who have a duty to protect and serve us. We want America to live up to its promise for all her citizens. Every American deserves dignity, value and respect. Justice can no longer be delayed or denied. Justice is when Black America is humanely treated by law enforcement, has equal access to education and economic opportunity, and full access to the ballot box. I call upon every legislator in this country – from village councils to the Congress of the United States – to take immediate action to outlaw the use of choke holds, whether by arm or by knee. Especially as I read today, the city of Minneapolis alone has rendered 44 suspects unconscious with this tactic since 2015. It must end.”
Representative Troy Balderson (R, 12th Congressional District): "Violence in all forms is wrong. This includes the protests that led to rioting overnight in Columbus. Every member of our community deserves to feel safe. Right now, many do not. Black Americans do not. Central Ohio families do not. Business owners do not. Bystanders do not. This is inexcusable across the board. I fully condemn the hateful, violent death of George Floyd. My heart and my prayers are with his family. They lost a son, a brother, a father, a cousin too soon. Justice must be brought against the man who killed him. We cannot end racism with violence. We must show each other understanding, kindness, and respect. If we are to find solutions, now more than ever, we must work together—not against each other.”
Representative Tim Ryan (D, 13th Congressional District): “George Floyd was murdered by four police officers as he begged for his life because of the color of his skin. Should they have been fired? Yes. Should they be prosecuted? Yes. But this isn’t a one-off incident. This has been happening since the dawn of our nation. “I can’t breathe.” The final words of Mr. Floyd echo those of Eric Garner and countless African Americans who have had their lives cut short or forever altered by the very people sworn to protect them. These images leave many feeling anger, fear, frustration, and pain. In these images, African American see their children, they see their loved ones, they see themselves. Being Black in America means living with the fear that every interaction with law enforcement is a possible life or death situation. When these difficult conversations come up, people like to mention how far we've come as a country. “Slavery ended 150 years ago” “We passed the Civil Rights Act” “Jim Crow is gone” “We elected a black President” They argue that these somehow mean we are past racism. But on days like today, it's important to remember how much the color of our skin still impacts our lives. It determines where we live, the schools we go to, how much we earn, the opportunities we are provided, and - yes - whether our lives matter. We have a long way to go.”
Representative Dave Joyce (R, 14th Congressional District): “To conclude this week's update, I want to take a moment to address the heinous, unjustified killing of George Floyd and the unrest it has sparked across the country. Like countless Americans, my heart breaks for the Floyd family. To watch a fellow human being be treated in such a shameful and horrific way...there are no words that can accurately describe my disgust. As a former prosecutor who had the privilege of working alongside many honorable police officers in Northeast Ohio, I know that the disturbing treatment of Mr. Floyd, and the lack of action taken by the other officers at the scene to stop it, are in blatant violation of what the brave men and women of our nation's law enforcement stand for. Now is the time to mourn. Next, the time for justice. As for action, it's past time for that. But violence? The time for violence is never. Peaceful protests are an exercise of our inalienable, First Amendment rights, a critical part of our democracy. However, we cannot allow our shock and outrage to fuel destruction and more death. Rather, we need to funnel that shock and outrage into a collective determination - a solemn vow - to prevent such abuses from continuing to happen. We must commit ourselves - all of us - to work together to prevent these tragedies.”
Representative Steve Stivers (R, 15th Congressional District): [In a letter to Attorney General William Barr and FBI Director Christopher Wray] “I join the concerned constituents that I represent in Congress, and those across the nation, in feeling angry, frustrated, and disappointed in the American justice system in the wake of the death of George Floyd. With the release of the tragic footage of Mr. Floyd’s death, every American can see the crime. Justice delayed is justice denied. We cannot afford to wait for justice to be served. I urge your offices to expedite the investigation into Mr. Floyd’s death and elevate it to the highest priority. As the highest law enforcement office in the nation, you have a responsibility to ensure that our laws are enforced equally and that any digressions from that principle are addressed as swiftly as possible. Our nation’s trust in our justice system is broken, and in order to repair it, we need reassurance that our laws protect everyone equally, and do not elevate one individual above another. Your prompt attention to this situation may help assure Americans who are questioning the equity in our system. Today, many in our communities woke up hoping for peace, but we also want justice.”
Representative Anthony Gonzalez (R, 16th Congressional District): “I don’t pretend to have the right words for what happened in Minnesota. But I do believe in my soul that the desire to see positive change far exceeds the hate that rots some hearts.”