Statement from Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller on the death of George Floyd of Minnesota:
Asheville, N.C. (May 29, 2020) – Law Enforcement should not and cannot condone the abuse of authority by fellow officers. When an officer acts in a way that clearly violates the law as with the death of George Floyd, they must be held accountable. This means not just losing their jobs as sworn officers, but that accountability also must extend to law enforcement being charged by the criminal justice system.
If I am going to talk to our community in Buncombe County about 21st Century Policing then I am obligated to speak up when an obvious injustice happens at the hands of law enforcement. I will tell you that the death of George Floyd is such a time.
Thank you sir, for this statement. I too, have watched as racism, xenophobia, and misogyny have enjoyed a rebirth under the Trump administration. I grew up with a father who was a career police officer, but also a racist, heard his horrific insults hurled at people of color, even their babies and children. I vowed to defend those who are oppressed and have tried to do so my entire life. “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” DO SOMETHING.