President Obama held a meeting at the White House Monday afternoon to discuss the situation in Ferguson, Mo., and ways to build trust between police and “communities of color.” In attendance was a diverse group including MSNBC host Al Sharpton, several mayors, the presidents of the National Urban League and the National Council of La Raza, two representatives of the NAACP, the director of the ACLU, GlobalGrind.com president Michael Skolnik, artist T-Dubb, and the founder of the Dream Defenders.
Several representatives of law enforcement were also in attendance, although members of the Ferguson Police Department were not represented. According to Press Secretary Josh Earnest, the president has no plans yet to visit Ferguson, though he remains open to the idea.
Pres Obama remains open to visiting Ferguson, but no plans yet, says @PressSec.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) December 1, 2014
What was on the table at today’s meeting? Again, of concern was finding ways to improve relations between police and communities of color.
Pres Obama says he's determined to address "simmering distrust" between too many police and too many communities of color.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) December 1, 2014
POTUS says all mistrust between police & communities cannot be ended, but he's determined "to make things better." pic.twitter.com/nBOvVYt4ky
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) December 1, 2014
That’s all well and good, but what concrete steps can the president take to foster better relations between law enforcement and the people? As Twitchy reported, a group called the Don’t Shoot Coalition in early November presented area law enforcement with its 19-point list of “rules of engagement” with the police.
Among the demands was that riot gear not be used and police “wear only the attire minimally required for their safety,” the idea being that such gear served only to antagonize protesters who were naturally peaceful. St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay seemed to agree, telling aldermen that “we do not want to appear to militarize our response … so our officers will start by wearing their normal uniforms.”
President Obama is also concerned with the militarization of police, and revealed that he’s drafting an executive order to prevent just that.
Exec Order being drafted calling for “consistent list of controlled property (guns, armored vehicles)” to be provided to police.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) December 1, 2014
Under Exec Order, local civilian (non-police) authorization required for police to request or acquire controlled equipment.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) December 1, 2014
Pres will issue executive order on federal equipment to local police to be sure we're not building a "militarized culture" inside police.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) December 1, 2014
And, in exchange, to address the problem of rioting and looting, the president will …
Pres Obama says it's "not a problem simply of Ferguson." He said it's a national problem, but it's "solvable." pic.twitter.com/IvJQ8vFmbc
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) December 1, 2014
So, is executive action to limit police to a “consistent list of controlled property” the answer? Participants in the meeting seemed pleased.
ACLU's Laura Murphy emerged from POTUS meeting "feeling wholly optimistic" about moving toward "real change" between police & communities.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) December 1, 2014
Leaving incredibly productive 2 hr mtg at White House w/ Obama, Biden, Holder + some of most inspiring young leaders in our nation #Ferguson
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) December 1, 2014
Rev Sharpton called Obama meeting "historic." Mayor de Blasio said POTUS shows "real sense of resolve." pic.twitter.com/t6iDoIXRU0
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) December 1, 2014
Sharpton endorsed!
https://twitter.com/Matthops82/status/539554237168906241
* * *
‘Never let a crisis go to waste’: Obama’s proposed Ferguson ‘fix’ to cost $263 million
Join the conversation as a VIP Member