I was ashamed to see what Trump did to peaceful American protesters to get a photo op

Trump’s actions

I am ashamed by the militarized attack on peaceful Americans for the purpose of President Trump’s photo-op in front of St. John’s Church. The nation is mourning the murder of George Floyd. We are swimming in hundreds of videos of police brutality from the past few days alone. Americans are screaming for compassionate change from the government, and it has been met with tear gas, rubber bullets, batons and knees on throats.

If our government and military won’t protect all Americans, who will? Time and time again, we silently witness brutality against black people. It is far past time to rectify it. We must vote, and we must amplify their voices. Silence is unacceptable.

Mason Morris, Raleigh

City, state leaders

The governor, Raleigh’s mayor, city council and police chief have exhibited an incredible lack of leadership in response to the violence and destructive rioting and looting by the people who have so badly damaged our city and the property of many businesses around town for the past several days. They seem to have no plan and not enough guts to stop the violence and take control of the chaos and anarchy for fear of offending the marauding crowds.

As if the inability to work due to Gov. Roy Cooper’s prolonged suppression of honest small business owners’ right to earn a living is not damage enough, to now suffer this violent destruction and unopposed theft of the property is unforgivable cowardice on the part of all the city leaders, as well as the governor. They all should resign immediately. Shame on them all for not protecting the people and our city.

Gary S. Mills, Raleigh

Second-guessing

Regarding “NC House Speaker blasts response to George Floyd protests,” (June 1):

So now House Speaker Tim Moore, Senate leader Phil Berger and other Republicans are criticizing Gov. Roy Cooper regarding his response to recent riots and racial unrest. I am disgusted by their second-guessing and kowtowing in the wake of President Trump’s comments and threats to mobilize the National Guard to restore order.

Does anyone remember how Republican-led committees raked former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton over the coals regarding the State Department’s response to American deaths in Benghazi? Clinton stood her ground and defended her actions, stating her choices were based on real-time responses to events, not second-guessing after the fact.

N.C. Republicans would do better to stop critiquing Cooper’s actions and instead work in a bipartisan manner to prevent events like this from reoccurring.

Robert Platt Jr., Raleigh

Honor George Floyd

Let’s name at least one major street in each of our cities “George Floyd Avenue.” Let’s never forget; let’s be constantly reminded that we are all in this together. Police officers and other law enforcement officials are critical to our safety; they need good leadership by compassionate, courageous individuals. And they need our help. Our brothers and sisters of all ethnicities and diversities are critical to our well-being.

Brenda Harton, Durham

Police reform

I am discouraged by news commentary simply condemning racism and calling for culture change. Police violence is systemic, as were slavery and segregation. It will not be abolished by protests or exhortations to culture change.

Like slavery and segregation, it needs to be abolished by changes in law and by follow-up administrative measures to enforce the law. Police need to be held accountable.

Mayors and police chiefs must have the authority to fire police officers who are obviously racist or who have engaged in repetitive misconduct. This may require restraints on police unions. There needs to be strenuous screening of police recruits to weed out racists and sociopaths. Enough pontificating! We need a police reform movement to advocate the needed legal and administrative changes explicitly in the media, in the streets, and in state legislatures and town halls.

Andy Silver, Durham

Meatpacking plants

In Sunday’s in-depth article, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and Republican Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler claim they can’t stop or even document and disclose the spread of COVID-19 in meatpacking factories. Hogwash!

Oddly, the article omits Republican Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry, who isn’t using her clear authority to intervene and protect workers’ health. What’s behind this shameful inaction? Deference to the out-sized political influence and money of hog/poultry barons, or disrespect for the people of color working in these plants? Both?

Stop the madness. Publicly list larger meat processing plants; rate them for cooperation with health officials, testing, job changes using workers’ input (line speeds, etc.), premium pay, and paid leave. Listen to the workers.

Bob Hall, Durham