Washington, DC – Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a senior member of the House Committees on Judiciary and Homeland Security and Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations, issued the following statement about the talks between the NFL, owners and players surrounding the on-going protests by NFL players and the offensive remarks by the owner of the Texans:

“The culture of the NFL has to change. The uproar over Americans who simply want to petition their government for grievances was unnecessary and insensitive. Colin Kaepernick had a right to take a knee to protest the state of police/community relations. The young men who have joined him have a right to express their views.

“I have and will continue to stand by them. Out of the rancor and discord surrounding these protests should come massive investment in the African American community and reforms to the criminal justice system. The NFL players across the league are fine young people, many of whom college graduates, who every day go to work and put forward their best effort. Never should they be called “inmates running the prison,” as they were referred to by the owner of the Texans.

“I join the community in demanding answers and solutions now!”

A Community Meeting will be held at Community of Faith Church tonight at 7pm. Congresswoman Jackson Lee will join via conference call from Washington, D.C.