Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and his running mate Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) have condemned the violence and looting that erupted in Philadelphia following the fatal police shooting of an armed African American man.
Protests erupted hours after a bystander’s video of the shooting was posted on social media. The footage showed Wallace “advancing toward” two police officers who had their firearms drawn and warned him to put the knife down. The officers were backing up before the camera cut briefly away as gunfire erupted and Wallace collapsed.
Biden and Harris issued a joint statement on Oct. 27 reacting to the incident.
“Walter Wallace’s life, like too many others’, was a black life that mattered—to his mother, to his family, to his community, to all of us.”
“At the same time, no amount of anger at the very real injustices in our society excuses violence. Attacking police officers and vandalizing small businesses, which are already struggling during a pandemic, does not bend the moral arc of the universe closer to justice. It hurts our fellow citizens,” the statement says.
“Looting is not a protest, it is a crime. It draws attention away from the real tragedy of a life cut short. As a nation, we are strong enough to both meet the challenges of real police reform, including implementing a national use of force standard, and to maintain peace and security in our communities. That must be our American mission. That is how we will deliver real justice.”
Unrest from the previous night led to 90 arrests, they said.
“The riots in Philadelphia are the most recent consequence of the liberal Democrats’ war against the police,“ White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said in a statement about the unrest. ”Law enforcement is an incredibly dangerous occupation, and thousands of officers have given their lives in the line of duty.
“All lethal force incidents must be fully investigated. The facts must be followed wherever they lead to ensure fair and just results,” she said. “In America, we resolve conflicts through the courts and the justice system. We can never allow mob rule.
“The Trump administration stands proudly with law enforcement, and stands ready, upon request, to deploy any and all federal resources to end these riots.”