Remarks as delivered
It is a sad honor to be with you this afternoon. The news of the tragic shootings in Buffalo, and elsewhere, are at the forefront of our minds.
Our hearts are hurting for the victims, their families, their friends and for our country.
We don’t yet know all the details about these recent incidents, but we know enough to understand how deeply this has impacted all of us.
By all indications, the shooting in Buffalo was motivated by extremist rhetoric and racism. We also know hate crimes are among the most devastating because they impact everyone – not just where the event occurs – but all across the country. We feel it in Buffalo, in California, in Texas, and we feel it here in Colorado.
These crimes impact, not just members of the targeted group, but all of us. These crimes and the people who commit them are focused on driving communities apart. Instead, we must focus on our common humanity.
These evil acts try to tear us apart; and that’s why it’s so important to come together – like we are doing right now.
I want to assure you that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado stands with you today, and all days. We stand ready to marshal federal resources to investigate and prosecute any instances of potential hate crimes here in our community. We work with our partners at the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, along with state and local law enforcement to address all acts of violent extremism.
There is no room for hatred in this world. We will come together. We will not let this evil divide us.
###