Florida Political Leaders React To Deadly Police Ambush In Dallas
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Florida political leaders are reacting to the deadly sniper attacks on Dallas police.
Governor Rick Scott released this statement Friday morning.
"This morning, Ann and I are heartbroken to hear of the horrendous tragedy that took place in Texas last night. The violence displayed against Dallas law enforcement was a senseless and cowardly act that has no place in our country. Law enforcement officers across the nation bravely put their lives on the line every day in order to protect our homes, our communities, and our families. We join of all of America in mourning these fallen heroes and praying for the recovery of those injured. Just as Texas stood with Florida following the Orlando terror attack last month, Florida will stand with Texas during this unfathomably difficult time."
Five police officers were killed after sniper fire broke out while hundreds of people protested fatal police shootings of two black men this week in Louisiana and Minnesota.
Marco Rubio held a news conference Friday and expressed his thoughts.
"All of us should be troubled by these images and all of us need to acknowledge that this is about more than just one or two recent incidents. The fact is that there are black communities in America where black families tell us that they are fearful of interacting with local law enforcement. How they feel is a reality that we cannot and should not ignore and as we work this it will require us to ask and to answer very difficult and uncomfortable questions. But by the same token, all Americans in every community should accept and openly admit that the overwhelming majority of the men and women who serve us in law enforcement in our communities, are among the very best our country has to offer. These men and women are the thin blue line standing between us and danger. They are the ones that will come to your home tonight when the alarm goes off. They are the ones who are willing to charge into a nightclub in Orlando to stop a terrorist. They are also mothers and daughters and husbands and wives. Mothers and fathers, husbands and wives, sons and daughters, they deserve our gratitude. They deserve to come home safely every day from work and quite frankly they are tired of having to wear a black ribbon on their badge or attend another funeral because yet another law enforcement officer has been killed in the line of duty. There is no justification, there is no excuse for the targeted assassination of police officers and there is no justice in ignoring the fact that for every case of real or alleged police misconduct there are thousands of instances of bravery and of or service that we will never hear about."
Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez also issued a statement saying,
"Last night, we witnessed a despicable attack on the fine men and women of law enforcement. Today, we mourn with the police officers and residents of Dallas as we offer our thoughts and prayers. We in Miami-Dade County will continue to support our law enforcement as they protect and serve our residents."
Miami Beach City Manager Jimmy Morales also expressed his condolences.
"I would like to first offer my condolences to the law enforcement community for the tragedy in Dallas last night. I recognize that law enforcement is a family that includes every police officer in this country as well as their families. Please keep the fallen officers, the injured officers, and their families in your thoughts and prayers. The men and women of the Miami Beach Police Department work very hard each and every day to ensure the safety of all of our residents and visitors. Please know that the Police Department has my full support to do whatever is necessary to ensure our residents and visitors are safe, while also making sure that each of them come home to their families safely at the end of each shift. I ask everyone in the entire Miami Beach community to remember that this is not just about one City, but our entire nation. We stand with all first responders and their families today and every day.May God bless each and every one of you."
U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) issued the following statement.
"Our nation is in mourning over the murder of five law enforcement officers in Dallas, Texas last night. Every day our law enforcement officers perform the valiant and courageous act of leaving their homes knowing they may be in harm's way and yesterday too many of them did not return home. I send my deepest condolences to the families of the fallen officers and the community of Dallas. As we grieve the loss of those law enforcement officers, we also grieve the loss of two African-American men taken far too soon from their families and communities. The loss of even one life is too many, and we must have the courage to unite as a nation and have serious conversations about the bonds of trust between our communities and law enforcement. We owe it to ourselves, our children and one another to have those conversations. As our nation heals from all of these tragedies, we must stand together, united in love and respect for one another. We must end this senseless violence that is leaving too many families and communities in unspeakable pain."
Former Congressman Joe Garcia issued this statement.
"My heart breaks for the families and the victims of last night's shooting. This is a grave reminder of the sacrifices our police officers make to keep our community safe. Recent tragedies show we need unity—against hate, violence and injustice—among all the members of our communities. We need to work together to ensure all people are safe from gun violence."
Joe Garcia served South Florida in Congress from 2013 to 2015. He is currently running for election against Republican Rep. Carlos Curbelo.
In Miami Lakes, Mayor Michael Pizzi has ordered the Town Flag be placed at half staff in mourning for the Dallas police officers and in solidarity with the City of Dallas. He's also calling for a one minute moment of silence at 2pm.
In statement, Pizzi wrote that he called the Dallas Mayor "to offer prayers for the families of the five police officers who were brutally slain in a cowardly attack on those that offer their lives to protect us. The tragic and dastardly murder of these brave police officers in Dallas is a reminder of how all of our police put their lives on the line every single minute of every single day in order to allow us the freedom and safety to go about our daily lives. At exactly 2:00 p.m. today I ask all Miami Lakes residents to take a one minute moment of silence, to honor these police officers and to pray for the safety of all police officers, including the ones that patrol of our local streets every day."