I want to commend President Gutmann for her participation in the "die‐in" protest over the recent, high‐profile deaths at the hands of specific police officers.
I say "specific police officers" because I do not for one minute believe that the officers who caused the deaths of Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Tamir Rice and John Crawford are representative of all police officers, and I also do not believe they were employing proper police procedure and training. Indeed, my office has organized multiple training seminars for law enforcement to promote the community policing practices that good officers have used to make a real difference in addressing crime in my district.
I do not often look to professional athletes for wisdom on public policy issues, but I have to agree with the Cleveland Browns' Andrew Hawkins who, in response to objections to his wearing a shirt reading, "Justice for Tamir Rice," said "a call for justice shouldn't warrant an apology."
President Gutmann owes no one an apology for standing with people who believe that these recent events have been potentially avoidable tragedies and were certainly not examples of good policing or justice. As an alumnus of the law school, I greatly appreciate President Gutmann's sensitivity in regards to race and police brutality issues and her respect for the right of free speech. She is a credit to UPenn and I wish there were more like her.
State Representative Eric Johnson
L '03
The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.
DonatePlease note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.