Live coverage: President Obama addresses the nation on the need for law enforcement reform

At 5 PM ET, President Barack Obama will address the nation on the need for change in the wake of the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and far too many others.

With Donald Trump erecting walls between himself and the public and a nameless army occupying the nation’s capital, Obama’s speech is desperately needed by a nation sorely lacking in either practical or moral leadership. The speech promises to provide not just words of encouragement (needed) but “reforms to combat police violence and systemic racism within law enforcement” (even more needed). Join with us as a community to listen to President Obama’s address, and to discuss the steps needed not to end the protest, but to address the need for this protest.

Wednesday, Jun 3, 2020 · 9:00:10 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Just seeing Obama up there at the top of the page for the moment is like a cool drink of water on a blistering afternoon. The coverage is about to begin ...

Wednesday, Jun 3, 2020 · 9:06:05 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Okay, we’re past the time to start, but as usual with all things political … we haven’t started. So hang in there.

It’s unclear how much of this will be Obama directly addressing national concerns, and how much will be back and forth with the panelists. But one thing we should get is ideas that are not “Build higher walls! Bring in more troops! Hide in a bunker!”

Wednesday, Jun 3, 2020 · 9:11:08 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

And we’re underway with Michael Smith from My Brother’s Keeper, an organization launched by President Obama, setting the stage for this event. 

Starting, appropriately, with a moment of silence for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery.

Wednesday, Jun 3, 2020 · 9:14:25 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Student leader Playon Patrick is up next with a moment of poetry … not something seen in many political events. But certainly eye -and ear-catching for those watching, and moving in its content.

Wednesday, Jun 3, 2020 · 9:16:08 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

And young Mr. Patrick gets the honor of introducing Obama. 

Wednesday, Jun 3, 2020 · 9:18:09 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

“We have seen in the last several weeks, the last few months, the kind of epic changes in our country that are as profound as anything I’ve seen in my lifetime … Let me begin acknowledging that while all of us have been feeling pain and disruption, some of have been feeling it more than others … We grieve with you.”

Wednesday, Jun 3, 2020 · 9:20:04 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

“In a lot of ways, what has happened over the last several weeks is that challenges and structural problems here in the United States have been thrown into high relief. They’re the results of not just this moment in time but of a long history … of slavery and Jim Crow … And in some ways, as tragic as these last few weeks have been, they’ve also been an incredible opportunity for people to be awakened to some of these underlying facts.”

Wednesday, Jun 3, 2020 · 9:21:55 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Obama speaking to the hope he feels from the way young people are turning out in this moment. “Dr. King was a young man …” Goes on to list those who have moved the needle in different ages and on different topics, and how many of them were young when they made those big accomplishments. 

Wednesday, Jun 3, 2020 · 9:23:47 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Obama speaking directly to young people of color. “I want you to know that your lives matter. That your dreams matter … You should be able to live and to learn and to live a life of joy without having to worry about what will happen when you go to the store, or go for a jog, or are looking at some birds ...”

Wednesday, Jun 3, 2020 · 9:24:56 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

“I want to acknowledge the folks in law enforcement that share the goals of reimagining the police. Because there are folks out there.”

Wednesday, Jun 3, 2020 · 9:25:32 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Obama praises those in law enforcement who have marched along with protesters, involved themselves in their communities, and worked toward a solution. 

Wednesday, Jun 3, 2020 · 9:27:31 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Going back over the group he put together following the shooting of Michael Brown, Obama points out that much research toward necessary reforms has already been done—but the changes need to be actually implemented at the local level by mayors, police chiefs, and other officials.

Wednesday, Jun 3, 2020 · 9:28:17 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

“I’ve been hearing a little bit of chatter in the internet about voting vs. protest … This is not an either or.”

Wednesday, Jun 3, 2020 · 9:29:18 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Obama says that the already published reforms, if implemented, would save lives without causing an increase in crime. “Today I am urging every mayor in this country to review your use of force policy.”

Wednesday, Jun 3, 2020 · 9:33:19 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

“I’ve heard some people say that you have a pandemic, then you have these protests. This reminds people of the ‘60s, and the chaos, the discord, and distrust throughout the country. I have to tell you, though I was very young when you had riots and protests and assassinations … You look at these protests, and that was a far greater cross-section of America on the streets. … That didn’t exist back in the ‘60s.” Talks about how many people believe that the protests are justified and the change of mindset that represents. 

Wednesday, Jun 3, 2020 · 9:34:48 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Obama finishes up and hands over to the panelists, but will stay to be part of the ongoing discussion. 

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^{Wednesday, Jun 3, 2020 · 9:48:16 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner}
Proposals from 8 Can’t Wait, produced by Campaign Zero …

• Ban chokeholds and strangleholds
• Require de-escalation
• Require warning before shooting
• Exhaust all other means before shooting
• Duty to intervene
• Ban shooting at moving vehicles
• Require a use of force continuum
• Require comprehensive reporting