Press Releases

Congresswoman Gwen Moore Announces State of the Union Guest

“In light of the ongoing police brutality crisis in our country that just claimed the life of Tyre Nichols, I am inviting an individual who had the unfortunate experience of encountering this epidemic firsthand in Milwaukee. His crime was he happened to be a Black man driving a luxury car at 2:00 am.

Sterling Brown who played professional basketball for the Milwaukee Bucks at the time, was tased during an interaction with Milwaukee Police Department officers, where the situation was needlessly escalated with excessive force. He sought justice and accountability, a victory that continues to impact and help shed light on this issue in our community.

What happened to Sterling Brown is part of a tragic history of police brutality in America and the city of Milwaukee. I remember the 2014 killing of Dontre Hamilton, who lost his life on a park bench, and when Ernest Lacy was killed in 1981. As a mother of two Black sons, my heart feels for all the families who are now grieving, it is a fear I carry with me.

For years, I have worked to advance legislation to advance policing reform through expanding de-escalation training, which would help create a relationship of trust between police officers and our citizens and prevent tragedies.

The State of the Union is an opportunity to not only hear the President’s priorities and agenda, but for members of Congress to send a message. It is clear that we need to act on this crisis. I am thankful to have Sterling Brown as an advocate for policing reform and look forward to lifting up his lived experience during the State of the Union.”