Rep. Buckbee Statement on Equality

America must step forward and be better than we are acting. I was raised to judge a man by his character and nothing else. If he wears a badge or not, he is accountable to the laws laid forth by an ideal that all men are created equal. Right is right. Wrong is wrong. Any acts of violence, wearing a badge or not, tarnishes the ideal of America. Violence is wrong and punishable.

Protests are a part of what America is. Riots are not. It’s okay to feel angry, but our actions must not be. I have been engaging in conversation with our fellow local leaders here in New Milford including the Mayor and the New Milford Police Chief. We stand unified with Chief Cerruto in saying, “Every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, as everyone matters and everyone has a voice.”

We must respond in unity that NO violence is acceptable. We must listen and educate one another so that we can rise from the ashes of such devastation to our core ideals as a human race. As Americans we can and must be better than this.