Kamala Harris calls George Floyd protests a 'movement', tells Stephen Colbert public safety needs reimagining
Kamala Harris, the second black woman elected to the US Senate, said she was glad that the DA involved in the case of Rayshard Brooks acted "swiftly" and took the investigation seriously as news hit that the former police officer Garrett Rolfe involved in Brooks' passing has been charged with felony murder. On the June 17 episode of 'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert', Senator Harris spoke about how the protests across all 50 states of the United States are not going to "let up" and why the Justice in Policing Act should be passed.
Colbert asked Harris what was the significance of Rolfe being charged and what was next. To this Harris replied that cases such as these are difficult and added that she has confidence in the prosecutors to make things happen. "They go to trial," she said speaking of the police officers who have been charged in cases such as Brooks'. The Senator explained that she has been fighting in DC to push for The Justice in Policing Act as she believes that the question that needs to be asked in such cases is: "Was that use of force necessary?" "You can reason away anything," said Harris, calling for restructuring on how the cases are being handled.
The interview, with an obvious political theme, showcased Harris' views on how police officers that do bad aren't held accountable, and neither do they experience serious consequences. The protests she says are calling for "equal justice under the law". The senator, who said she doesn't know of a black man who has not been a victim of racial profiling, called President Donald Trump's recent executive order "window dressing", "but that's what we usually get out of President Trump," she said. Harris brought up how cases such as those of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd happen repeatedly and added that "these were not new grievances", as she remembered Rodney King from 30 years ago.
Harris, who was an attorney general of California for six-years, further explained that sometimes bias, with a badge and a gun, can lead to "lethal consequences". "We do need to reimagine how we’re doing public safety," she said. The idea that more police results in more safety is wrong, both Colbert and Harris agreed and added that money can be divided into causes such as education and healthcare. When Colbert asked Harris about the meaning of 'Defund the Police', which is also a powerfully viral hashtag today, the senator explained that this doesn't mean that we have to get rid of police officers but what it does mean is that we need to take a "critical look at are we being smart with taxpayer dollars". You can watch a clip of the interview here.
Having been part of protests in the '60s while she was in her stroller with her parents, Harris said that the "greatest movements we've seen have been born out of protests". "This is a movement. They're not going to stop before election day in November and not after election day. Everyone should take note of that on both levels. They're not going to let up. They should not and we should not," said Harris, who believes that these protests are what could be catalysts for change.
Colbert also asked Harris how she felt about being named a Vice Presidential candidate for Joe Biden. "I’d be honored if I was asked and I’m honored to be a part of the conversation, but honestly, I will do everything in my power, wherever I am, to help Joe Biden win," Harris replied. Speaking of how the DC protests showcase hope, Harris believes that with the people outside of the system demanding change and people inside of the same pushing for change — change will happen. "The movement is the counterforce to get us where we need to be," said Harris.
'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert' airs weekdays on CBS.