December 24, 2014
By Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal
New York, NY – The brave women and men of the New York City Police Department risk their lives every day to make this City safe for all of us. The senseless and brutal murder of Officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos by a mentally disturbed individual must be roundly condemned. My heart goes out to their families and loved ones as they suffer through an unimaginable loss, one which must only be magnified by the holiday season.
While the entire City of New York continues to mourn this loss, it is critical that we work together to identify ways to heal our collective wounds by moving beyond violence and toward solutions. If we are to get closer to the transformative change that will make us a more just and peaceful society, we must continue the dialogue about building bridges between law enforcement and the communities they serve and protect.
As 2014 comes to a close, it is time to take a deep breath and reflect on the continued struggle and the opportunities we can create for future collaboration in the pursuit of peace, equality and justice. Life is fragile; do not hesitate to share your love with friends, family and loved ones.
