“Black lives matter and we stand in solidarity with every single organizer and activist who stood up and demanded that presidential candidates challenge power and respond to the crushing consequences of structural racism.

Our country needs a president who is committed to progressive policies and is willing to challenge power — from deep-seated racism in America to corporate interests that rig the game against working people.

But more important than any statement we might make today are the names of the people who have been killed by a powerful, racist system that we must take on together, like:

By Neil Sroka,Communications Director, Democracy for America, neil@democracyforamerica.com.

Sandra Bland                 Michael Brown                              Rekia Boyd

Kindra Chapman          Sharonda Coleman-Singleton    Kenneth Chamberlain, Sr.
John Crawford III        Jordan Davis                                  Ezell Ford

Freddie Gray                 Eric Garner                                    Oscar Grant III

Akai Gurley                    Dontre Hamilton                         Cynthia Hurd

Susie Jackson                Aiyana Jones                                 Ethel Lance

Trayvon Martin             Renisha McBride                         Depayne Middleton-Doctor

Clementa Pinckney       Tamir Rice                                     Tony Robinson

Timothy Russell            Tywanza Sanders                         Walter Scott

Daniel Simmons, Sr.     Myra Thompson                          Cameron Tillman
Malissa Williams …and too many more.”