(TRENTON) – Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto (D-Hudson/Bergen) released the following statement on Friday:
“My heart breaks for our great nation. It’s difficult to consider how our children and grandchildren are inheriting a broken world, but people of goodwill need to stand strong. The American ideals of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness must always persevere.
“We cannot stand for any senseless loss of life. African-Americans need to know a traffic stop won’t lead to death, and police officers need to know they will be respected. As we mourn for the lives lost, we recognize that we must do better.
“The New Jersey General Assembly has worked hard on justice reform, cultural diversity training for police and gun safety, but this is clearly an ongoing discussion. We will continue our efforts and redouble them where needed as we consider initiatives moving forward, while remembering the better world we all want can be achieved only through compassion and understanding, not hate and violence.
“Our prayers and condolences are with the families on this sad day.”