Republican Congressman Dave Reichert is teaming up with an unlikely ally to bridge the divide between the African-American community and police officers.
Reichert co-wrote an op-ed in “The Hill” newspaper with Democratic Congressman John Lewis.
Rep. John Lewis staged an all-day sit-in on the House floor in late June to demand votes on gun-control bills. Democrats shouted down Speaker Paul Ryan when he attempted to restore order as their protest stretched into the night.
The effort had more than 200 Democrats, including Washington senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell.
Lewis, a veteran civil rights leader who spoke at the Washington March of 1963, asked what Congress has done, then answered his own question: "Nothing. We have turned a deaf ear to the blood of innocents. We are blind to a crisis. Where is our courage?"
Lewis also was known for a 2010 visit to Seattle's Discovery Park, where an injustice was done to African-American soldiers in the 1940s.
Reichert is the former sheriff of King County and calls Lewis a “good friend.”
Together, they are looking for solutions.
Reichert told KIRO 7 anchor Dave Wagner for a report at 6 p.m. that one of the goals is more money for community policing. Watch with us on-air or here online.
Cox Media Group
