Former President Barack Obama called for meaningful police reform while denouncing violence in a blog post Monday, addressing nationwide protests sparked by the death of George Floyd.
In a Medium essay, Obama emphasized the need to combine activism with political engagement, urging demonstrators to channel outrage into systemic change. “The choice isn’t between protest and politics. We have to do both,” he wrote, warning against cynicism toward voting.
His measured tone contrasted sharply with President Donald Trump’s aggressive rhetoric. Trump, who has largely focused on Twitter, threatened military intervention, tweeting: “Liberal Governors and Mayors must get MUCH tougher or the Federal Government will step in.”
Floyd, a 46-year-old unarmed Black man, died in Minneapolis after officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for over eight minutes. Chauvin has been charged with murder and manslaughter. While most protests remained peaceful, clashes and looting led to over 4,400 arrests, per the Associated Press.
Obama praised the “courageous, responsible” majority of protesters but condemned violence, stating it endangers communities and undermines the movement. “If we want society to operate on a higher ethical code, we have to model that code ourselves,” he said.
He urged activists to push for concrete policy changes, particularly in local elections, where police reform is often decided. “The elected officials who matter most work at the state and local levels,” he noted, cautioning against empty promises once protests fade.
Amid the COVID-19 crisis, Obama expressed hope that sustained, peaceful action could mark a turning point for racial justice. “This moment can be real progress if we turn anger into effective action,” he wrote.
— Edited for clarity and brevity
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