Statement on Death of George Floyd, Day of Prayer, & Virtual Town Hall on Policing
Dear Prince Georgians:
We are truly exhausted and heartbroken over the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer, but unfortunately, we are not surprised. As we have seen with the recent killings of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia and Breonna Taylor in Kentucky, and William Green right here in Prince George’s County, this is not just an isolated incident, but part of a broader system of racism that seeks to dehumanize and devalue African American life, African American males in particular.
In the case of the terrible murder that we saw here in Prince George’s, the former officer who killed Mr. Green was charged with murder less than 24 hours after that incident, which was exactly what needed to occur. The charges brought against the officer who murdered George Floyd are a start. In both of these cases, we hope and pray that justice will be served swiftly.
However, we also know that without addressing the underlying inequalities and injustices within our healthcare, education, criminal justice system and our society, these tragedies will continue to occur. No one should have to worry about dying in police custody due to the color of their skin. No one should have to worry about dying while going about routine activities like jogging and bird watching due to the color of their skin. And no one should have to worry about dying from a search warrant due to the color of their skin.
I understand the deep sadness, frustration and anger of protestors in cities all across our country, and I am grief-stricken by all of these preventable and senseless deaths as well. We have continued to call for major reform in our health, education and criminal justice system at the national level to prevent these tragedies, and nothing has been done. While local leaders can do our part to enact change, this is a nationwide problem that requires a nationwide solution. I called for Prince George’s County Police officers to be retrained from the top to the bottom, and steps have been taken to implement that training. And I vow that we will take steps forward, because in 2020, no one, White, Black, Latino or otherwise, should be concerned to simply live their lives.
We’ve also seen that, while many peacefully protest and demand justice for George Floyd and others, some have taken advantage of the situation to sow chaos. In fact, in many instances these actions have been taken by those who are not protesting George Floyd’s death, but in fact trying to sow further division in our already divided nation. Please know that these acts of division, chaos and violence are not welcome in Prince George’s County. Instead, I encourage those who want to voice their grief, sadness and frustration to do so peacefully.
Black Americans are simultaneously dealing with a pandemic that has hit our communities particularly hard and systemic injustices that have been around for centuries, tragically losing our loved ones, friends and neighbors. While it is easy to feel dismayed, frustrated and angry, we must not feel hopeless. The peaceful protests we see are reflective of the deep diversity of our nation, proving that, while some may seek to divide us, there are many more who want to see our nation united with justice and equality for all.
Dr. King once said that “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.” We must continue to raise our collective voices, exercise our right to vote, and carry on the torch of the civil rights leaders who came before us to achieve the bright and just future our ancestors dreamed of.
While I encourage individuals to protest peacefully, please do so safely. Remember that in the midst of all of this grief, we are still in the midst of a pandemic. Please wear a mask, please social distance and please remember that we must take care of ourselves so that our community doesn’t fall back into the escalating rate of infection we are now seeing declining.
Yours in service,
Angela Alsobrooks
Prince George's County Executive
Day of Prayer
 In response to everything going on in our County and country, today, June 2 we are hosting a Day of Prayer in Prince George's County. I'm asking all Prince Georgians to join us in taking a moment of prayer and reflection for our County and country. Any group or individual can participate, as all you need to do is choose a time between now and midnight that works for you to pray and reflect. Let us pray for peace, healing, hope and justice with our collective voice.
Policing in 2020 Virtual Town Hall
 Tomorrow, June 3 at 4:30 PM, I will host a virtual town hall on policing in 2020 with Judge Greg Mathis. Joe Clair will moderate the conversation. Our panelists will include:
- A. Scott Bolden - Managing Partner, Reed Smith LLP
- Pastor Tony Lee - Community of Hope A.M.E.
- The Honorable Calvin Hawkins - Prince George's County Council Member, At-Large
- The Honorable Aisha Braveboy - Prince George's County State's Attorney
- The Honorable Steny Hoyer - U.S. Representative (MD-5) & House Majority Leader
- Angie Ange - Radio Personality, 93.9 WKYS
- Marissa Michel - 2020 Prince George's County Youth Poet Laureate
- Nala Washington - 2020 Graduate of Suitland High School
- Mi'Jan Credle - 2019 Prince George's County Youth Poet Laureate
There are multiple ways to join this conversation and you do not need to register in advance. You can join online at https://bit.ly/PGCUnityTownHall, and enter the password: 467920. You can join by phone by calling 1-301-715-8592 or 877-853-5247 (Toll Free), and enter Webinar ID: 962 9406 7955. Finally, if you would like to watch, but not participate, you will be able to tune in at cex.mypgc.us.
I hope you will join us for this critical town hall on policing in Prince George's County and America.
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