COLUMBUS, Ohio – Gov. John Kasich says unrest across the nation over police-involved killings underscores the need for political leaders to focus on being inclusive.
The Republican said Sunday on ABC’s “This Week” that a “significant percentage” of the country believes the system’s not working for them and they need to be responded to. He says the country is too polarized, and that leaders need to unite people by making sure everyone feels they have a chance and are being heard.
On Friday, Kasich announced that a bipartisan group of state had formed a new task force aimed at improving police-community relations.
Police in Ohio have killed two black youths carrying imitation guns in recent months, and the U.S. Justice Department last week concluded that Cleveland police too often use excessive force.
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Meanwhile, more professional athletes were wearing “I Can’t Breathe” messages Sunday in protest of a grand jury ruling not to indict an officer in the death of a New York man.
Cleveland Browns cornerback Johnson Bademosi warmed up in a shirt with the message before Sunday’s home game.
The slogan refers to Eric Garner, who died after a police officer placed him in a chokehold while he was being arrested for allegedly selling loose cigarettes. A grand jury decided Wednesday it would not indict the officer. A video of the arrest showed Garner gasping, “I can’t breathe.”
LeBron James says he is looking for an “I Can’t Breathe” shirt, and he could wear it before a game like Derrick Rose did.
Rose warmed up in the shirt Saturday before Chicago played Golden State.
James called the shirt “spectacular” Sunday, when Cleveland practiced before its game Monday in Brooklyn.
Britain’s Prince William and Princess Kate are scheduled to attend the game.