Yesterday, a grand jury in Staten Island decided not to bring criminal charges against police officers involved in the tragic death of Eric Garner. Speaking at the 2014 White House Tribal Nations Conference yesterday, President Obama made a statement on the grand jury's decision:
We have all seen the video of Mr. Garner's arrest. His death, of course, was a tragedy. All lives must be valued. Mr. Garner's death is one of several recent incidents across the country that have tested the sense of trust that must exist between law enforcement and the communities they are charged to serve and protect. This is not a New York issue or a Ferguson issue alone.
"This is an American problem," the President said. "When anybody in this country is not being treated equally under the law, that's a problem. And it's my job as President to help solve it."