To the Leaders of Omaha and Nebraska,

An open letter,

This week, I have watched two men brutally gunned down by officers of the law. This is fully unacceptable, and a disgrace to an institution we call “Protectors of the Peace,”. I must ask you, where do you draw the lines between murder and detainment? How do we here, in our state prevent these horrific situations from even beginning?

I would hope that our congress, police forces and city councils could reflect on the profound impact these situations have for their citizens. These actions of other uniformed officials speak poorly of your reputations, your morals and line of ethics. 30% of Omaha alone are of non-European descent, and how are they supposed to see these videos of police brutality? As a one off situation, as an “unfortunate circumstance”? It is your duty, under the motto of “Protect and Serve” to denounce these actions and put in place protections for our friends and family.

We are tired of seeing, day after day, members of our community killed over petty actions, without due process, without regard for their rights as citizens. A man was murdered for alerting an officer that he had the right to carry a weapon, and needed to get his wallet. No excuses for this. We need transparency, now more then ever. What are you going to do about it? What are you going to stand up for and show us that you are not like them? No answer is simply siding with the people who gun citizens down for fun. Are you honestly any better then the criminals you claim to stop or are you just a group of terrorists under the guise of a badge?

Regretfully yours,

Chet Coenen