Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders condemned the killing of black Chicago resident Laquan McDonlad, who was shot 16 times by a white police officer.
“The family of Laquan McDonald and the people of Chicago deserve justice and accountability,” Clinton said in a statement. “As criminal charges proceed in this case, we also have to grapple as a country with broader questions about ensuring that all our citizens and communities are protected and respected.”
Since the video of McDonald’s death was released Wednesday, the city has erupted into protests as the police officer in question is being charged for first degree murder.
Clinton met with mothers of African-Americans killed by police in Chicago last month and has since often talked about the importance of police reform and reducing “unnecessary force.”
Sanders stated that saving African-American lives “must be the civil rights issue of the 21st century,” and that ending the killing of African-Americans by police officers was his top priority in tackling the issue.
“As a nation we must do more than just echo the phrase Black Lives Matter,” Sanders said in a statement. “We must put actions behind those words. Actions that will bring about the fundamental reform that is needed in the face of this crisis.”
