Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is telling Americans the United States is strong enough to uphold law and order while fighting for racial justice.
In a speech in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Biden recognized the importance of law enforcement while acknowledging the issue of systemic racism.
“I believe in law and order. I’ve never supported defunding the police, but I also believe injustice is real. It’s a product of a history that goes back 400 years. The moment when Black men, women, and children first were brought here in chains,” Biden said.
He added, “I do not believe we have to choose between law and order and racial justice in America. We can have both.”
Watch his comments below:
“I believe in law and order. I’ve never supported defunding the police, but I also believe injustice is real,” says Joe Biden.
— CNN (@CNN) October 6, 2020
“I do not believe we have to choose between law and order and racial justice in America.” pic.twitter.com/nXxd6JEfSw
He emphasized the nation’s strength and how it can “honestly face systemic racism” and “provide enough safe streets for our families and small businesses.”
Biden argued there should be no tolerance for White supremacy groups “menacing our communities.”
He urged Americans to let law enforcement do the work instead of allowing extremist groups to act as vigilantes.
Biden noted the shootings of George Floyd and Jacob Blake.
“I think about what it takes for a Black person to love America. That is a deep love for this country. That has for far too long never been recognized,” Biden said.
He added, “What we need in America is leadership that seeks to deescalate tensions, to open lines of communications, to bring us together, to heal, to hope, and as president that’s precisely what I will do.”
During his speech, Biden also criticized President Donald Trump for failing to wear a mask, as IJR previously reported.
“Let’s just set partisanship aside. Let’s end the politics and follow the science. Wearing a mask, wearing a mask is not a political statement, it’s a scientific recommendation,” Biden said.
The president received backlash from others for removing his mask when returning to the White House after receiving treatment for COVID-19, as IJR previously reported.