The African-American Mayors Association (AAMA) on Thursday mourned the deaths of two black men killed in separate police shootings this week.
“Alton Sterling was a father of five and a husband,” President Sly James said in a statement. “Philando Castile was a beloved son. But, most of all, both of these men were human beings and Americans, whose lives were cut short.”
{mosads}The AAMA, which represents 500 black mayors nationwide, is working on strengthening ties between police and minorities, said James, the mayor of Kansas City, Mo.
“We are likewise committed to police officer training on methods of de-escalation and disengagement from situations where the use of deadly force is unwarranted. We will continue this work, more committed than ever, to make our towns and cities safe for everyone,” he said.
Sterling, 37, was shot and killed early Tuesday during a confrontation with police at a convenience store in Baton Rouge, La. Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) on Wednesday announced the Department of Justice’s civil rights division will investigate Sterling’s death.
Castile, 32, died late Wednesday after being shot during a traffic stop in Falcon Heights, Minn. Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minn.) on Thursday called for the Justice Department to take similar action regarding Castile’s death.
James said the AAMA’s members welcome federal involvement in both incidents.
“From Baltimore to Baton Rouge to Falcon Heights, mayors are at the forefront of working with police officials to ensure transparency in cases involving police shootings and calls for a thorough investigation and the earliest possible release of information,” he said.
“The African-American Mayors Association commends the U.S. Department of Justice for its swift decision to launch a civil rights investigation into the Alton Sterling Case, and hopes that similar, swift action is also taken in the Philando Castile case.”