Dallas

Illinois Politicians React to Dallas Shooting

“As a country and as a city we can never accept acts of violence anywhere, at any time, against anyone, for any reason,” Mayor Emanuel said in a statement.

On Friday, Illinois politicians responded to Thursday night's tragic shooting at a Dallas protest that left five police officers dead.

“The ambush attack on Dallas police officers in outrageous,” Gov. Bruce Rauner said in a statement. “The men and women who work every day to protect everyone, including those exercising their right to free speech, deserve our respect and support.”

In total, 12 officers were shot by gunmen in what police believe to be a coordinated ambush attack that began at the close of a rally that stood in solidarity with two men killed in police-involved shootings this week.

Alton Sterling was shot and killed by police at a Baton Rouge gas station Tuesday. Philando Castile was shot and killed by police Wednesday during a routine traffic stop in Minnesota. Both men were reportedly carrying firearms.

The killings of Sterling and Castile have caused a great deal of backlash throughout the country, much like the videotaped killings of Trayvon Martin and Chicagoan Laquan McDonald.

Mayor Emanuel sent condolences to the victims and families affected by the Dallas shooting.

“As a country and as a city we can never accept acts of violence anywhere, at any time, against anyone, for any reason,” Emanuel said in a statement. “We cannot be a country where our differences define us — be it profession, race, creed, or sexual orientation. We must recommit ourselves to our common values to confront corrosive violence. We must build a dialogue that builds trust between us all. That is the foundation of this nation, that is what binds us together, and that is what we all must strive towards every day.”

Sen. Dick Durbin mourned the tragedy, sending prayers to the officers recovering from the attack. Durbin also stressed that the shooting shouldn’t be politicized.

“Those who try to exploit this Dallas tragedy for political purposes or ignore the disturbing shootings in Minnesota and Louisiana do not add to the critical national dialogue we need,” Durbin said in a statement. “It is time for leaders to come forward calmly and honestly to end this senseless cycle of hate and violence."

Sen. Mark Kirk tweeted his support for the city of Dallas Friday morning.

“We stand with the Dallas community today and the officers who risk their daily lives every day to protect Americans,” Kirk wrote.

Rep. Tammy Duckworth, who faces Kirk in the November general election, sent condolences and condemned the “heartless, calculated and unjustifiable” shooting.

“Last night’s coordinated ambush on Dallas law enforcement officers is an atrocity,” Duckworth said in a statement. “It will only serve to distract from and undermine the efforts of peaceful protesters seeking an end to the needless violence that took the lives of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile this week."

Duckworth also pushed for unity and warned against stoking the violence with divisive rhetoric.

“Let us be vigilant in our words to be sure we don’t escalate this tragic situation or inflame emotions further,” Duckworth said. “Now is the time for our nation to come together and unite against all hateful voices.”

Rep. Robin Kelly noted her personal connection to the tragedy and sent condolences to victims in Dallas, as well as Sterling and Castile.

"I come from a family of cops so my admiration for law enforcement runs deep," Kelly said in a statement. "So does the concern and fear I hold as a mother of a black son who feels like it's open season on him in America. We have to find the balance where there is respect for life on both sides. We must find common ground in a greater understanding of our shared stakes in creating a fairer, safer society for us all."

Rep. Luis Gutierrez also mourned the fallen officers, calling for an end to the nation's violence.

“The Dallas attack was cold-blooded murder and terrorism and cannot be tolerated or explained,” Gutierrez said in a statement. “The deep veins of anger, hatred, distrust, and factionalism in America are frightening and violence is a daily result. There is a corrosive wave of Americans hating each other and killing each other at alarming rates that we as a nation must come together to resolve and terminate."

Rep. Bob Dold called for unity in the wake of the tragedy and sent condolences to the victims.

“In the wake of the attack on our law enforcement community in Dallas, as well as the deeply disturbing shootings in Louisiana and Minnesota earlier this week, let us be strong enough as a nation to pursue justice and unity while also recognizing the news to repair deep roots of division that have brought us to this moment,” Dold said in a statement.

Rep. Mike Quigley sent condolences to victims and families, calling the shooting “despicable” and “heart wrenching.”

“While many questions still remain at this time, it is clear that the killers were full of hate and had only one goal in mine — to kill,” Quigley said in a statement. “It is more important than ever that all Americans come together as one to stand collectively, hand-in-hand, against hatred and violence of all kinds.”

Rep. Bobby Rush expressed sympathy and called for peace and healing in the wake of the tragedy.

"We cannot resort to violence or cast blame and hatred against one another," Rush said in a statement. "We all share in the grief of the violence taking place accross this country from Alton Sterling, Philando Castile and for the five officers killed. As Mahatma Gandhi stated, 'an eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world bline.' We must call for healing in our nation." 

The Chicago Police Department also issued a statement Friday.

“In light of the tragic events across the country this week, including the unspeakable police assassinations in Dallas, CPD has designated that all officers must be paired up with their partners to increase visibility and strengthen officer safety,” the statement reads. “This week’s events are also important reminder of our work with community partners to continue promoting positive engagement between officers and the residents we’re sworn to protect.”

“Superintendent Johnson will be reaching out to the Dallas Police Department to offer CPD’s deepest condolences, and offer any assistance the city may need in responding to this tragedy."

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