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Flossmoor mayor: Police actions in George Floyd death ‘stained’ law enforcement

Flossmoor Mayor Paul Braun Monday condemned the actions of the Minneapolis police officers involved in the death of George Floyd.

George Floyd, an unarmed black man, died after an officer placed a knee to his neck for several minutes. The incident sparked protests and rioting nationwide, including in south suburban areas close to Flossmoor, where a number of businesses were left in ruin.

Braun denounced the officers’ conduct at the beginning of the June 1 village board meeting. He said the incident as well as other instances of police brutality against black Americans in the United States has “stained the reputation of law enforcement as a whole.”

“Our nation, our region and our community are hurt by yet another instance of what I know as the unjustified killing of a black man — pain that our black friends, our neighbors and families have endured for decades,” Braun said.

“This anger and frustration that we’re seeing is on top of systemic issues that continue to contribute to the inequities that we have in our society. This has been going on for decades.”

Braun noted how the relationships between village residents and Flossmoor Police Department “are much stronger than in other communities” due to a commitment to community engagement, diversity and inclusion.

He called on community members to stand together by protesting peacefully.

“We are not naive or immune to racist incidents and we continue to work as one community to silence the voices of hatred and bigotry,” he said.

“There’s so much work that needs to be done and to end this scourge of racism, and I know that we as a community must do our part. So, tonight I’m encouraging our residents to express their First Amendment right and to speak out, but I also ask, please, that these demonstrations be done in a peaceful and safe manner.”

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