Governor Ralph Northam made his first in-person appearance Tuesday since demonstrations against police use of force began last week.
As protesters chanted and cheered outside a state office building, inside Governor Ralph Northam said he stood with them and will work to turn pain into action. "I’m here to work with you so that no one fears for their life because of the color of their skin," Northam said in a news conference.
Northam said that would start with listening to citizens and civil rights leaders, meeting with police chiefs about the use of force and a statewide day of prayer, healing and action. But he didn’t offer any specific legislation. "We’re going to come back here probably in August for a special session to deal with the budget. And I am very confident that even between now and then that there will be pieces of legislation." Northam added that the legislation would likely be focused on criminal justice reforms. Richmond Delegate Delores McQuinn, who joined Northam and other civil rights leaders at the news conference, noted that the Virginia Crime Commission is about to get new members and she expected it to have more focus on reform.
The protesters outside wanted Northam to come out and talk. "I'm not sure now is the best time for me to be out in the midst of that," he told reporters.
In a statement, Republican leaders in the General Assembly called Northam "unprepared and ill-equipped" to take action.