NFL players tell Congress to act on criminal justice reform, community policing

“The community I come from wants and needs to know that they are being heard. We want to make sure that you, that those in position to bring positive change, understand the things that we as an African-American community are going through,” Boldin said.

The communities “do not feel that we’re being heard right now right now, especially when it comes to law enforcement and the way we are being policed. Our neighborhoods are feeling hurt, and they want to see change,” he added.

The free agent wide receiver also told the story of the fatal police shooting of his cousin Corey Jones, who was killed in October 2015 after his car broke down while he was on his way home in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

“I wish I could tell you Corey’s story was unique. I wish Corey hadn’t died in the first place. As a matter of fact, I wish I wasn’t here at all talking to you about him at all. But I am,” an emotional Boldin testified.

Jones was killed by Officer Nouman Raja, who had pulled up alongside Jones’ broken down car in an unmarked white van. Raja — whose trial is scheduled for October — was charged with one count of manslaughter by culpable negligence and one count of attempted first-degree murder with a firearm.

Jenkins added in his testimony that the current laws and policies continue to allow “for brutality and mistreatment to happen.”

“There’s our criminal justice system, and the long documented disparities in which it affects the African-American communities and communities of color far greater than anybody else,” Jenkins said.

“If there is so much support […] then what is holding them back?” Jenkins asked of Congress passing criminal justice reform. “These are things that need to change.”

Jenkins said that throughout the week they met with bipartisan lawmakers to discuss what it is they think can and should be done.

In November, Jenkins and Boldin were joined by other NFL players in meeting with Congress to discuss criminal justice reform and community policing. Both Jenkins and Boldin were also vocal and long-lasting in their support for former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who began kneeling during last season’s preseason games during the national anthem as a means to protest police brutality and inequality.

Though Jenkins said they met with both Republicans and Democrats, there were no Republicans in attendance at Thursday’s forum. In addition, there were no white members in attendance — only Reps. John Conyers (Michigan), Elijah Cummings (Maryland), Sheila Jackson Lee (Texas), Williams Lacy Clay (Missouri), Cedric Richmond (Louisiana) and Brenda Lawrence (Michigan).