The killing of George Floyd

I’d like to say I can’t believe this has happened again, but of course, it has. Until the police are held responsible for the murders they commit, especially when they are caught literally “dead to rights” on camera, there will continue to be riots and (rightly) protests by people of all colors who know a crime when they see one.

I do not approve of rioting, but there will always be opportunists who use this as an excuse for bad behavior. The others who protest police brutality have every right to do so.

I am disgusted at the countless deaths at the hands of those who are supposedly here to “serve and protect.” Did this man deserve to die a brutal, sadistic death over a fake $20 bill while the other police officers stood by and did absolutely nothing? They are as guilty as if they had their own knees on his neck. Until upstanding police officers show the same public outrage at the injustice people of color continue to endure, there will be no respect for any officer.

Show some courage. Stand up for what is right, not what is white (or blue) ...

Kristi Schwindt, Littleton

The cops are not your friends. “Serve and protect” only applies to the white and wealthy. With the murder of George Floyd, protests broke out all around the country, demanding one simple thing: justice for George Floyd.

Is it too much to ask for police to not kill our fellow citizens? It seems so. Throughout the country, peaceful protesters were met with tear gas canisters and rubber pellets. Just a few short weeks ago, antigovernment and “pro-liberty” activists who brought guns to capitol buildings were given complete freedom and met peacefully by police.

It is time to accept that police are not here to protect us but, rather, to keep us at bay. Police officers are above the law, and until we demilitarize them, hold them accountable and finally see justice for people like George Floyd, we will continue to see unnecessary, senseless and cold-blooded murders. Unless you are prepared to sentence them to death, it is no longer justifiable to call the police, especially on people of color. I stand with protesters around the country. We can’t breathe.

Jack Tangel, Denver

Once again, No. 45’s idea of leadership during a crisis is to berate and belittle. This time his target was the mayor of Minneapolis, whom he referred to as “weak.” That president of ours? He’s just a macho, macho man.

Craig Marshall Smith, Highlands Ranch

The Governor of Minnesota correctly called out that the rioting over the tragic death of George Floyd could be ascribed to “generations of pain.”

Sadly, it can also be ascribed to perceived criminal opportunity.

That opportunity is using an incident of shameless police behavior to loot stores and start fires. Such behavior is perpetrated by selfish, uncaring individuals, under cover of the legitimate public display of righteous anger.

This criminal behavior serves to diminish the very legitimate public expression of outrage for what befell George Floyd. It is thus disgraceful on two accounts: a crime of burglary and vandalism, while distracting from the focus on the offense against Mr. Floyd.

The offending police officers, as well as the looters and vandals, all need to be prosecuted.

James DeFrancia, Steamboat Springs