ICYMI: Rep. Omar Speaks in Oversight and Government Reform Hearing on DHS's Fatal Shootings
WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-MN) spoke in a hearing hosted by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations titled “Our Values at Stake (Part V): Deaths, Deception, and a Failure of Accountability at DHS.” Donna and Brent Ganger, mother and brother of Renée Good, and Stella Carlson, eyewitness to the murder of Alex Pretti, joined the Committees as witnesses. Rep. Omar questioned them on the aftermath of the fatal shootings by immigration officers in Minnesota, and across the country. She also asked them about the communities' needs as they seek justice for those murdered by DHS agents. You can watch the full video here. Below is a transcript of her opening remarks:
"For those who know me, I'm not known for being an emotional person, but representing Minnesota, representing the epicenter of where Operation Metro Surge took place, having two of my constituents assassinated in broad daylight - it was the most emotional I've ever been in my entire life.
"And, you know, even the last two hearings that I've participated in, even today, I had to walk out a few times because it is hard to hear people account for losing their daughter, for losing their son, for losing their father, for losing their neighbor, for losing a young dad -I was around his age when when my first daughter was around his daughter's age.
"And to know that it all happened in the hands of your own government. And for those of us who, like Rep. Garcia talked about, who are immigrants in this country, who fled countries where people are routinely killed in the hands of their government - and as Representative Crockett said, you know, we come to the United States as the land of free, the land of laws, there is an incredible constitution we all celebrate and take an oath to, not just when we become citizens, but when we do, end up serving that country to give back because we are enormously grateful for it - that you just never think that this country is going to be a country where its own government kills its own citizens and residents.
"And then that government turns around and continues this sort of insane thing that, you know, happens in other countries, where that government creates this propaganda to say that the victims somehow were responsible for their assassination. That they somehow invited their government to publicly execute them."
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