Obama, Bush call for unity at Dallas memorial

DALLAS — Steps away from pictures of the five officers killed last week by a lone gunman, President Barack Obama, former President George W. Bush and Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings said Tuesday the best way to honor their lives is for Americans to open their hearts to one another and unite. “With an open heart, we can […]

Obama, Bush call for unity at Dallas memorial

DALLAS — Steps away from pictures of the five officers killed last week by a lone gunman, President Barack Obama, former President George W. Bush and Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings said Tuesday the best way to honor their lives is for Americans to open their hearts to one another and unite.

Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings welcomes Dallas Chief of Police David Brown to the podium as the Bushs and the Obamas look on at the interfaith police memorial at the Morton Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas on July 12, 2016.
Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings welcomes Dallas Chief of Police David Brown to the podium as the Bushs and the Obamas look on at the interfaith police memorial at the Morton Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas on July 12, 2016.

“With an open heart, we can worry less about which side has been wronged and worry more about joining sides to do what is right,” Obama said at an interfaith service honoring Brent Thompson, Patrick Zamarripa, Michael Krol, Michael Smith and Lorne Ahrens.

Obama, Bush and local leaders addressed a sea of black suits, dresses and uniforms at the Meyerson Symphony Center, where an estimated 2,500 people attended the service. Throughout the dimly lit room, attendees sported yellow and blue sashes representing the Dallas community and its first responders, respectively. The stage for the memorial was adorned with photos of the five fallen officers, as well as an array of flags representing North Texas cities that were among the first to rally for Dallas on Thursday.

The five officers died when Micah Xavier Johnson, 25, opened fire on police Thursday night, striking 10 Dallas Police Department officers and one from the Dallas Area Rapid Transit Authority. The shooting came at the end of a peaceful protest by hundreds against the two recent police killings of black men Alton Sterling in Louisiana and Philando Castile in Minnesota. The mayor and the president said the city has made efforts to transform the department’s reputation and improve relations with the black community.

In his remarks, Obama called upon Americans to reject those who would try to use the events in Texas, Louisiana and Minnesota to paint police officers or protesters with one broad brush, instead asking people to focus on Americans’ common bonds.

“In this audience, I see what’s possible. I see what’s possible when we recognize that we are one American family, all deserving of equal treatment, all deserving equal respect, all children of God — that’s the America I know,” Obama said.

Even those who dislike the phrase “Black Lives Matter” should be able to understand the pain of Sterling’s and Castile’s families, he said. And those who advocate harm to police “do a disservice to the very cause of justice that they claim to promote.”

Obama went on to say that both the recent attack and the national outcry over law enforcement’s treatment of minorities exposes the faults in America’s democracy but that the way to mend those faults is not by retreating to ideological corners or divisive politics. He exhorted Americans to instead follow the example of the Dallas police officers who gave their lives.

“As Americans, we can decide to come together and make our country reflect the good inside us, the hopes and simple dreams we share,” Obama said. “Hope does not arise by putting our fellow men down. It is found by lifting others up. That’s what I take away from the lives of these outstanding men.”

Bush, Obama’s predecessor, also called for unity during his remarks at the memorial and lauded Dallas police officers for their service during the deadly incident.

“They and their families share the unspoken knowledge that each new day can bring new dangers, but none of us were prepared, or could be prepared, for an ambush by hatred and malice,” Bush said. He later added, “To renew our unity, we only need to remember our values. We have never held together by blood or background.”

Earlier in the service, Rawlings credited police with their efforts to combat violence.

“These men and women are here because we have a common disease — the absurd violence on our streets,” he said. “Those who will help us fight it are our men and women in blue. They have died for that cause.”

He added, “Dallas’ pain is a national pain. To wage this battle against violence and separatism, today must be about unity. Unity among faith groups, police and citizens and, and yes, politicians.”

Dallas Police Chief David Brown, who has drawn national attention for his response to the shootings, recited the lyrics to “As” by Stevie Wonder to the families of fallen officers.

“There is no greater love than this — that these five men gave their lives for all of us,” Brown later added.

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, who also spoke at the service, told The Texas Tribune beforehand that Brown deserved praise for his handling of the shooting.

“If anything good can come out of this terrible tragedy, it will be a long overdue conversation about race and justice and the skepticism some elements of the community have about whether law enforcement is actually on their side,” Cornyn said. “I think there’s no better spokesman than Chief Brown, who’s done an amazing job.”

Hours before the fatal shootings last week, Obama addressed the nation, saying there are racial disparities in police shootings but recognizing that the incidents do not contradict the appreciation communities have for most law enforcement.

State officials reacted via social media and updated followers with each development. Gov. Greg Abbott extended thoughts and prayers and offered state assistance to Dallas. The governor on Monday announced his wife, Cecilia, would attend the memorial while he recovers from an infection after suffering severe burns to his legs and feet Thursday.

Obama and first lady Michelle Obama were scheduled to visit families of the fallen officers after the memorial service.

This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at http://www.texastribune.org/2016/07/12/obama-bush-speak-dallas-memorial/.

We're ad free

That means that we rely on support from readers like you. Help us keep reporting on the most important New Mexico Stories by donating today.

Related

Emily’s List endorses seven candidates for Legislature

Emily’s List endorses seven candidates for Legislature

Emily’s List, a nonprofit that supports women candidates and reproductive rights, endorsed seven incumbents facing general election opponents in New Mexico legislative elections. All…
Equality New Mexico endorses 15 legislative candidates

Equality New Mexico endorses 15 legislative candidates

A New Mexico-based LGBTQ rights organization endorsed 15 candidates for state House and Senate seats for the 2024 elections.  Marshall Martinez, executive director of…
Lujan Grisham pocket vetoes two bills

Lujan Grisham pocket vetoes two bills

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham pocket vetoed two bills the legislature passed this legislative session: one changing the Cybersecurity Act and the other concerning law…
BLM announces final methane waste rule

BLM announces final methane waste rule

The federal Bureau of Land Management announced its final methane waste rule on Wednesday. These new regulations clamp down on the practice of venting…
What consumers, farmers should know about the flu impacting dairy cows

What consumers, farmers should know about the flu impacting dairy cows

Migrating birds appear to have caused a virus in dairy cattle that is causing reduced milk production. So far, the disease, which initially started…
Republicans seek to limit national monument designations

Republicans seek to limit national monument designations

Republican-backed legislation in the U.S. Congress would make it harder for the government to designate new national monuments. The proposed Congressional Oversight of the…
Amid new graduation requirements, what do high schoolers want to learn?

Amid new graduation requirements, what do high schoolers want to learn?

By Margaret O’Hara, The Santa Fe New Mexican The main things that bring Brayan Chavez to school every day: Seeing, talking to and engaging with…
Special ed teachers hope lawmakers OK pay raises, admin changes

Special ed teachers hope lawmakers OK pay raises, admin changes

By Margaret O’Hara, The Santa Fe New Mexican Brittany Behenna Griffith has a laundry list of adjectives to describe the ideal special education teacher:…
Lawmakers must find consensus on competing education spending plans

Lawmakers must find consensus on competing education spending plans

By Margaret O’Hara, The Santa Fe New Mexican A challenging task awaits New Mexico lawmakers in the next 30 days: Reconciling three very different…
Health workers fear it’s profits before protection as CDC revisits airborne transmission

Health workers fear it’s profits before protection as CDC revisits airborne transmission

Amy Maxmen, KFF Health News Four years after hospitals in New York City overflowed with covid-19 patients, emergency physician Sonya Stokes remains shaken by…
Lujan Grisham, Biden admin announce $10 million in federal funds for tribes, pueblos

Lujan Grisham, Biden admin announce $10 million in federal funds for tribes, pueblos

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Friday $10 million in funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act was awarded to six tribal nations and…
Proposal to curb executive powers moves to House Judiciary

Proposal to curb executive powers moves to House Judiciary

The House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee discussed a potential constitutional amendment that seeks to limit the governor’s executive powers. The committee approved…
Senators introduce legislation to aid abortion providers

Senators introduce legislation to aid abortion providers

Sen. Martin Heinrih and other Senate colleagues introduced abortion rights legislation into the U.S. Senate on Thursday. The Abortion Care Capacity Enhancement and Support…
U.S. Supreme Court hears case to restrict access to medication abortion

U.S. Supreme Court hears case to restrict access to medication abortion

The U.S. Supreme Court heard the case about the regulations around mifepristone, one of a two-step regime for abortion medication, on Tuesday. FDA v.…
At stake in mifepristone case: Abortion, FDA’s authority, and return to 1873 obscenity law

At stake in mifepristone case: Abortion, FDA’s authority, and return to 1873 obscenity law

Lawyers from the conservative Christian group that won the case to overturn Roe v. Wade are returning to the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday in pursuit…
Senators introduce legislation to aid abortion providers

Senators introduce legislation to aid abortion providers

Sen. Martin Heinrih and other Senate colleagues introduced abortion rights legislation into the U.S. Senate on Thursday. The Abortion Care Capacity Enhancement and Support…
New Mexico Medicaid to cover cost of over-the-counter oral contraception

New Mexico Medicaid to cover cost of over-the-counter oral contraception

New Mexico Medicaid announced on Wednesday that it will cover the cost of Opill, the first oral contraception approved for over-the-counter use. It is…
U.S. Supreme Court hears case to restrict access to medication abortion

U.S. Supreme Court hears case to restrict access to medication abortion

The U.S. Supreme Court heard the case about the regulations around mifepristone, one of a two-step regime for abortion medication, on Tuesday. FDA v.…
San Juan County, Navajo Nation settle redistricting case

San Juan County, Navajo Nation settle redistricting case

The Navajo Nation and San Juan County reached an agreement Monday about commission districts after the tribe alleged that its members were not adequately…
MIT ranks NM elections most well-run in the U.S.

MIT ranks NM elections most well-run in the U.S.

New Mexico’s 2022 election was ranked most well-run in the country by Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Election Data and Science Lab’s Elections Performance Index.…
Emily’s List endorses seven candidates for Legislature

Emily’s List endorses seven candidates for Legislature

Emily’s List, a nonprofit that supports women candidates and reproductive rights, endorsed seven incumbents facing general election opponents in New Mexico legislative elections. All…
Ex-GOP candidate allegedly hired people to kill witnesses in shootings of homes of Democratix politicians

Ex-GOP candidate allegedly hired people to kill witnesses in shootings of homes of Democratix politicians

Republican failed state house candidate Solomon Peña is facing more federal charges, this time on a murder-for-hire scheme.  Peña allegedly tried to hire two…
BLM announces final methane waste rule

BLM announces final methane waste rule

The federal Bureau of Land Management announced its final methane waste rule on Wednesday. These new regulations clamp down on the practice of venting…
U.S. Supreme Court hears case to restrict access to medication abortion

U.S. Supreme Court hears case to restrict access to medication abortion

The U.S. Supreme Court heard the case about the regulations around mifepristone, one of a two-step regime for abortion medication, on Tuesday. FDA v.…

GET INVOLVED

© 2023 New Mexico Political Report