Newsom also declined to directly respond to comments made by President Donald Trump in a conference call with the nation’s governors Monday morning, in which the president called many of their responses to protests “weak.”
“I have a choice. We all have a choice,” Newsom said. “I can be part of the daily back and forth in the news cycle, and to continue to perpetuate the problems that persist in this country. I can choose to go back and forth and just be another voice in that cause. Or I can choose to focus a message that I think is so much more powerful that I hope has more resonance for people watching, and that is I care more about them than some of the noise I heard on a morning phone call.”
Newsom expressed solidarity with protesters and their call for change in a system that has failed communities for generations.
“The black community is not responsible for what’s happening in this country right now. We are,” he said. “Our institutions are responsible. We are accountable to this moment.”
But he said he had no patience for those who are taking advantage of the protests to engage in lawlessness.
“When you’re out there to exploit conditions, not advance the cause of justice — that is not serving the greater good,” he said. “And we need to also call that out. The looting, the violence, the threats against fellow human beings — that has no place in this state and in this nation. We as a society need to call that out.”
He said another 1,100 members of the National Guard have been called up to assist cities across the state cope with the protests and violence, bringing the total to about 4,500. But he said the state and nation as a whole need to do more than just respond to the protests on the streets.
“We are committed and resolved to bringing peace back to the streets, not only in the state but supporting efforts all across this nation,” Newsom said. “But it’s not just a situational moment. we have to focus on the medium and long-term and we have to prove our commitment and our resolve in that space.”
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Jj Narvaez says
Newsom just announced cutbacks for the police department. He is such a genius! The police department needs the funding not only for re-training but because we need the police. With his cutbacks I see looting becoming a regular thing in Los Angeles. Time to get the hell out of here!
Jj Narvaez says
My apologies. I said Newsom. I was talking about Mayor Garcetti.
Trumpist#1 says
It’s easy to get the 2 communists quislings confused.
Where was Rex? says
Two protests and a man shot and killed in Lancaster over the weekend. Where was Rex?
Clarity says
What do you expect Rex to do?
Better yet, what would you do if you were mayor of a city where one man got shot because he pointed a gun at deputies OR about people peacefully protesting (at least, to my knowledge, protests out here were peaceful)?
Pretty Loa says
Protesting is not allowed in Lancaster and notice they didn’t challenge the Mayor in that City. Even in Palmdale the City Council was absent in the peaceful protest that took place against the wishes of Rex. Where is our elected leadership?
East Lancaster says
Palmdale’s mayor came and talked to us. Rex was probably at the beach when we were there. We need a real mayor who cares about ALL of us in Lancaster not just a chosen few.
CJ says
“We are committed and resolved to bringing peace back to the streets, not only in the state but supporting efforts all across this nation,” Newsom said. “But it’s not just a situational moment. we have to focus on the medium and long-term and we have to prove our commitment and our resolve in that space.”
I’m tired of all the talk. WHAT IS YOUR PLAN GOVERNOR?? How are you going to stop the hate in YOUR state? Give us something meaningful. What is the strategy? Otherwise it’s just political jibber jabber trying to keep votes. It’s old.
Clarity says
What do you offer as a plan?
Do you even have a plan ready?
What sort of plan do all those looters and thugs out there have?
Acting in frustration is not a plan.
Continuing to complain about a system that is broken without offering a reasonable workable plan is not a progress!
Check yourself before pointing fingers. This problem will take participation from each and everyone of us. Those sitting back waiting for some magical potion need to get up off their behinds to participate.
Otherwise, and if all you can do is complain, please, spare us all this meaningless cbatter!
Home&afraid says
Our Gov. Newsom has not done enough to protect the innocent people of these protests, in fact I was very upset to hear that a truck driver was arrested when he didn’t stop for the protesters, have we forgot what happened to the truck driver in the last protest/riot?
He was beaten while everyone looked on and did nothing. I have friends that work for UPS and they are driving in fear, I am afraid to leave my house because the protesters have more rights to hurt me and damage my property than I have to protect myself and property. I hope the store owners don’t rebuild in these cities hit hard by protesters they don’t appreciate the value of having these stores. Everyone has suffered at some point in their life an injustice and dose that give us all the right to go steal and damage property?
Clarity says
Seriously…. To blame a governor of a state for the actions of thugs who are out to injure and burn is too simplistic and crude.
Why not blame Newsome for every fight, and every disagreement, blame him for every gunshot victim, every stabbing, and every time a woman or child is beat to a pulp by an abusive spouse/parent. Whether during riots or during peaceful times.
What do you suggest Newsome should have done to protect the innocent?
To simply complain, without offering a solution makes you a complainer. Not very productive. Not a catalyst for change.
He's a clown says
And so far this clown has done nothing but hiding his little office giving speeches with no face mask with others around he should be removed from the office
Cvck says
“But it’s not just a situational moment … we have to prove our commitment and our resolve in that space.”
Esoteric gibberish.
Trumpist#1 says
Comrade Newsom has made Kalistan worse, and I didn’t think that was possible.