Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman: ‘All Lives Matter’

The outgoing chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus Marcia Fudge (D-OH) is offering her condolences after the murder of two New York City police officers.

“I am deeply grieved to learn of the murders of New York Police Department Officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu. Their tragic deaths are a great loss for the NYPD, their families, and our nation,” she said in a statement reported Sunday by the Akron Beacon Journal.

“This is not about race or affiliation, and it isn’t about black versus blue. All lives matter,” she continued.

Fudge’s statement took a slightly different direction than her responses following the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner, who were both killed by unindicted police officers.

“This decision seems to underscore an unwritten rule that Black lives hold no value; that you may kill Black men in this country without consequences or repercussions,” Fudge said following the Brown grand jury decision in November. “This is a frightening narrative for every parent and guardian of Black and brown children, and another setback for race relations in America.”

In early December, the Garner verdict yielded another statement calling for the understanding that Black lives matter.

“I ask for calm yet resolute voices to be heard in our communities. It is imperative that people of good will, those who believe in a just and fair criminal justice system, hear our voices. Black lives do matter and our lives do hold value,” she said. “This is yet another sad day for our county and our democracy.”

Fudge’s Sunday statement, however pressed the idea that all lives are of value.

“I extend my condolences to the loved ones of Officers Ramos and Liu, to the NYPD, and the citizens of New York. And I urge each of us to seek to see and respect the humanity in one another,” she said, going on to repeat, “All lives matter.”