Eric Holder says Clinton will work to end ‘systemic racism’

PHILADELPHIA, July 26 (UPI) — Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder told delegates at the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday that Hillary Clinton will fight to end systemic racism and restore trust between law enforcement and communities of color.

“As a presidential candidate, she has talked about systemic racism in ways no one else has,” he said.

Holder also addressed the disparity between the Black Lives Matter movement and the law enforcement community, saying the goals of respecting minorities and keeping police safe should not have to conflict with one another.

“It is not enough for us to praise law enforcement officers after they are killed. We must protect them, value them and equip them with the right tools, tactics and training while they’re still alive,” he said. “We must also come to realize that keeping our officers safe is not inconsistent with the goals … of treating the people they are sworn to serve with dignity, respect and fairness.”

Holder also said Clinton will work to end unfair sentencing practices in federal courts and work to level the disparity between how black and white defendants are treated under the law.

“At a time when our justice system is out of balance, when one in three black me will be incarcerated in their lifetimes and when black defendants in the federal system receive sentences 20 percent longer than their white peers,” he said. “We need a president who will end mass incarceration.”