Minnesota governor Mark Dayton’s press conference seemed to upset some of America with his “uncomfortable” comments on Philando Castile.
After Philando Castile’s officer-involved death, the state of Minnesota — as well as the rest of the United States — witnessed a sure cry for justice.
If you haven’t heard about Philando Castile’s shooting , as a quick recap, a St. Anthony police officer shot him four times during a “broken tail light” traffic stop. This happened on July 6 — just before sunset.
The Inquisitr previously reported on the shooting.
With all of the protests occurring in front of the governor’s mansion — like Diamond Reynolds’ press conference after she was released from police custody — Mark Dayton gave a press conference of his own.
New video: Gov. Mark Dayton to #PhilandoCastile family: “We’ll get him justice” https://t.co/0EZK2fP8eh pic.twitter.com/lWGhGqfV2I
— Star Tribune (@StarTribune) July 8, 2016
Governor Mark Dayton had some very honest remarks about Minnesota, as well as the rest of the United States and some of its law enforcement personnel.
In a nutshell, Governor Dayton mentioned that, if a Minnesotan has no qualms over the circumstances surrounding Philando Castile’s death, he or she couldn’t be deemed a decent-minded individual.
And yet, there are still those who haven’t read the story or seen the video but have made comments like, “He probably deserved it.”
Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton specifically addresses these types of people in his next point.
“From the evidence that’s been presented — the video that was taken — no one should be shot in Minnesota…for a taillight being out of function. Nobody should be shot while they’re still seated in their car without…a very, very different kind of response. So, I’m heartbroken for Minnesota.”
However, here comes his reason why — which has sparked controversy.
After the Philando Castile murder, Governor Mark Dayton expressed that he had heard from several “distinguished African-Americans” regarding the police shooting.
Dayton noted that these individuals recalled similar personal experiences where they had been pulled over and singled out in a likewise manner.
Mark Dayton acknowledged the demographic who feels they’ve been treated differently due to the color of their skin.
Here’s where it gets juicy.
“Would this have happened if those passengers, the driver were white? I don’t think it would’ve,” states Governor Dayton.
“I think all of us in Minnesota are forced to confront that this kind of racism exists,” Dayton elaborates.
If you would like to see Mark Dayton’s video concerning Philando Castile’s shooting, it’s located below.
https://www.facebook.com/cnn/videos/10155007429521509/
According to NBC News , Mark Dayton said that he was going to demand an investigation by the United States Justice Department.
While this department of the U.S. government is currently investigating the Alton Sterling shooting, which took place in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the source says that it mentioned that a full assessment is underway in Minnesota as well.
Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton’s official statement regarding Philando Castile
Gov. Mark Dayton’s statement on the death of #PhilandoCastile pic.twitter.com/rvMyKqSGfC
— Briana Bierschbach (@bbierschbach) July 7, 2016
Similar to Mark Dayton’s speech, President Barack Obama also mentioned something along those same lines.
According to the source, Obama mentioned as follows:
“These are not isolated incidents. They are symptomatic of a broader set of racial inequalities that exist in our criminal justice system.”
In his speech regarding both Philando Castile and Alton Sterling, President Obama said that he couldn’t go into the specifics of the shooting incidents, but he wanted Americans to see this area where a large portion of the population turns a blind eye, so to speak.
“A big chunk of our citizenry feels that because of the color of their skin that they are not being treated the same,” mentions Obama.
Mark Dayton apologizes to Valerie Castile in front of the governor’s mansion #PhilandoCastile (?for @BringMN ) pic.twitter.com/4ApdD9QTiO
— romping & gallivanting (@Darin_K_) July 8, 2016
Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton also stated that he was “shocked” and “deeply offended” by the actions of the Minnesota police officers — as well as by the words of those who feel they were justified in their murderous acts.
All in all, what are your thoughts about Mark Dayton’s news conference? Do you agree or disagree with his comments regarding racism? Feel free to share your response below.
[Photo by Jim Mone/AP Images]