How does rioting and looting lead to justice for George Floyd? I know people are mad and they should be mad but no, that is not the way. [ Editor’s Note: I’m all in favor of non- violent protest. Nonviolent protest has been proven effective in the past ( the Women’s Suffrage Movement, the Civil Rights Movement), while violent outbursts ( the L. A. Riots, the Memphis Sanitation Riots) have only resulted in peoplebeing arrested, injured or killed. I happen to be Facebook friends with West Memphis Assistant Chief of Police Robert Langston and I’d like to share a post he made over the weekend. I don’t think he’d mind…

“ First, let me say what is clear to everyone. What happened to George Floyd was wrong, and it was murder. They should prosecute the officer that killed him and the other officers that allowed it to happen to the fullest extent of the law. I’ve not heard one of my brothers and sisters in law enforcement across this nation that has expressed anything any differently.

Secondly, I have no idea what it is like to be a black male and be frightened to come in contact with a police officer. I’ve taught my children to seek help from the police if they are ever in danger, and I can’t imagine being a parent and feeling like I couldn’t send my child to seek their help.

I’ve seen that many of my brothers and sisters from my work family feel differently than I do and are truly worried about their loved ones interacting with some law enforcement officers. These are people that I love, respect, and entrust with my life, so when I see them apprehensive and in pain, that confirms that we have a severe problem in our profession. Lastly, I hate seeing good officers all across our country that are under attack because of the murder in Minneapolis. As we all understand, it only takes one person to tarnish the badge for each of us. I’ve met very few officers in my twenty- fouryear career that did not do their best to serve their city. We have no room in this occupation for officers that don’t genuinely care for everyone in our community. To my law enforcement family, keep your heads up, and let’s continue to get better in how we serve.” It’s important to remember that even though this is an unacceptable tragedy, cases like this represent a very, very small percentage of interactions with law enforcement]