Seahawks' Doug Baldwin calls for dramatic next step following player protests
Doug Baldwin calls on all 50 states' attorneys general to review police procedures. Cites U.S. Constitution. #Seahawks pic.twitter.com/rthwb1pTME
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) September 22, 2016
Several NFL players have followed Colin Kaepernick's lead and used the national anthem to protest social and racial injustice around the nation. Others have continued the national discussion as Richard Sherman did this week, foregoing questions at his press conference and instead making a statement on the subject.
However, few players have talked about what needs to happen next. Which is what Sherman's Seattle Seahawks teammate Doug Baldwin addressed on Thursday, calling on the 50 state attorney generals to "call for a review of their policies and training policies for police and law enforcement to eliminate militaristic cultures while putting a higher emphasis on de-escalation tactics and crisis management measures."
Baldwin spoke out about the protests earlier this month and helped organize the Seahawks' linked-arms demonstration of unity during the national anthem on Sept. 11. Now the Stanford product is trying to translate the players' actions into real change and reform at the law enforcement level.
"You've heard the message, you've seen the protest and now we're working on the follow through," Baldwin told reporters. "Again, we're only a small group, a small portion of the population and there are people out there that have greater power than we do. Our voice is still going to continue to be heard but at the same time we need those that have the power to make the changes and act."
Baldwin said he consulted his father, a police officer in Pensacola, Fla., in preparing his statement and reached out to local law enforcement and elected officials in the Seattle area. Washington state attorney general Bob Ferguson tweeted that he would meet with Baldwin.
.@DougBaldwinJr Watched your press conference today with interest. I’ll be reaching out soon to see if you'd like to sit down and chat. -BF
— WA Attorney General (@AGOWA) September 22, 2016
I’d love to. I like what our state is doing with changing the culture! We will be in touch! https://t.co/5e8OKpppYI
— Doug Baldwin Jr (@DougBaldwinJr) September 22, 2016
Here is Baldwin's entire opening statement:
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Things need to change. Let’s start here. https://t.co/Aj5x6BqHeQ pic.twitter.com/qZhEo80Trq
— Doug Baldwin Jr (@DougBaldwinJr) September 23, 2016
