Ayanna

Ayanna Pressley proclaims BLM ‘mandate from the people,’ vows to ‘legislate accountability’

Rep. Ayanna Pressley says the American people must accept a new political reality: “Black Lives Matter is a mandate from the people.” The Massachusetts Democrat told lawmakers that it’s time to “legislate accountability” in accordance with the wishes of Black Lives Matter activists and its supporters. “We have been criminalized for the very way we…

Rep. Ayanna Pressley says the American people must accept a new political reality: “Black Lives Matter is a mandate from the people.”

The Massachusetts Democrat told lawmakers that it’s time to “legislate accountability” in accordance with the wishes of Black Lives Matter activists and its supporters.

“We have been criminalized for the very way we show up in the world,” the congresswoman declared Thursday. “Under the harsh gaze of far too many, my Black body is seen as a threat, always considered armed.”

Ms. Pressley’s commentary continues calls for racial reforms, which began with the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis as he was pinned down by multiple police officers.

The Democrat touted the House-passed Justice in Policing Act as one step in dismantling “centuries of institutionalized oppression,” but warned that more work needs to be done.

“With the power of the pen we must legislate accountability, dismantle these systems, and move in the direction of justice and healing,” she said. “The Justice in Policing Act is a critical step forward, and I applaud the leadership of the Congressional Black Caucus. But our work is unfinished. There is a rallying cry in communities across the nation. Black Lives Matter is a mandate from the people. It’s time. Pay us what you owe us. Our black skin is not a crime, it is the beautiful robe of nation-builders.”

The congresswoman’s plea also follows a June 10 interview with comedian Samantha Bee in which she warned viewers that it is “not good enough” to reject racism in 2020.

“Everyone will say, ‘Well, you know, I’m not a racist,’” Ms. Pressley said on Ms. Bee’s “Full Frontal” show. “Yeah, great. That’s not good enough. What you need to be is anti-racist. And that means being intentional and deliberate and unapologetic and dismantling structural racism and systemic oppression, and not being afraid to call it what it is: White supremacy.”

“White women, be useful. Use that privilege for good,” Ms. Bee said during the interview.

“Yes, Karen. Come on, Becky,” Ms. Pressley replied.

Rep. Ayanna Pressley: “Black Lives Matter is a mandate from the people. It’s time — pay us what you owe us. Our Black skin is not a crime. It is the beautiful robe of nation-builders.” pic.twitter.com/48avufRaif
— The Hill (@thehill) June 26, 2020

Ayanna

Ayanna Pressley calls for ‘unrest in the streets’ ahead of election

Rep. Ayanna Pressley called for “unrest in the streets” while discussing the upcoming election on MSNBC Saturday. “There needs to be unrest in the streets for as long as there’s unrest in our lives, and unfortunately, there’s plenty to go around,” the Massachusetts Democrat and member of the so-called “Squad” told MSNBC’s Tiffany Cross. “This…

Rep. Ayanna Pressley called for “unrest in the streets” while discussing the upcoming election on MSNBC Saturday.

“There needs to be unrest in the streets for as long as there’s unrest in our lives, and unfortunately, there’s plenty to go around,” the Massachusetts Democrat and member of the so-called “Squad” told MSNBC’s Tiffany Cross.

“This is as much about public outcry and organizing and mobilizing and applying pressure so that this GOP-led Senate and these governors that continue to carry water for this administration, putting the American people in harm’s way, turning a deaf ear to the needs of our families and our communities, hold them accountable. Make the phone calls, send the emails, show up,” she said.

Ms. Pressley’s comments followed months of protests and rioting in cities across the country sparked by the May 25 death of George Floyd.

The congresswoman joined fellow Democrats in calling for Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, whom the Postal Service Board of Governors appointed in May, to testify before the House Oversight Committee over concerns that cost-cutting measures could negatively impact mail-in voting.

“Donald Trump knows that his failings are on the ballot, that we have lost hundreds of thousands of American lives that were preventable and that’s just the most egregious of his criminal negligence and sluggish response and science denials and his failures of leadership,” Ms. Pressley said. “He knows those failures are on the ballot, that the occupant of the White House is on the way to being a temporary one.

“As Dan Rather reminds us, cheaters are going to cheat,” she continued. “So the only way that he thinks that he can be even remotely successful is to suppress and to undermine our democracy, beginning with the United States Postal Service, which again is a war on them and the livelihood of those essential workers and their families and those who rely upon the critical services that the postal service provides. So we have to continue to hold this administration accountable. At every turn, they have sought to obstruct, to stonewall, and to evade justice and accountability. But I do think that DeJoy should resign and at minimum he should be subpoenaed to come before the Oversight Committee.”