David Lammy Quotes

The most sacred of the duties of a government [is] to do equal and impartial justice to all its citizens.

In a system that disproportionately harms poor people and people of color, too many Americans have lost faith in the essential American principle of equal justice under law.

Enforcement priorities and arrest patterns must not lead to disparate treatment under the law, even if such treatment is unintended. And police forces should reflect the diversity of the communities they serve.

Human rights are not worthy of the name if they do not protect the people we don't like as well as those we do.

I believe in the law. I think we have a great system of justice. But I do think that system of justice has been corrupted by racism and classism. I think it's difficult for 'poor people' - poor white people, brown people - to be treated fairly before the law in the same way that upper-class people are.

As a black man, you run from the cops. It's different now, but back when I was coming up, you run.

Let the Negro have the shield of impartial laws. Let him be heard in court

The spirit, the intent, the purpose of our Constitution is to secure equal and exact justice for all men.

Our criminal justice system affirmatively depends on inequality.

Asserting the equality of all men before the law, we hold that it is the duty of the government, in its dealings with the people, to mete out equal and exact justice to all citizens, of whatever nativity, race or persuasion—religious or political.

Every person within this jurisdiction, whether inhabitant or foreigner, shall enjoy the same justice and law that is general for the plantation, which we constitute and execute one toward another without partiality or delay.

There's no question but that the justice system sucks.

No American should ever live under the cloud of suspicion because of what they look like.

[There are] roughly 50,000 arrests in New York City for marijuana possession [every year]... Of those 50,000 arrests, 82 percent are black and Hispanic... These arrests stigmatize, they criminalize, they create a permanent record. It's not fair, it's not right, it must end and it must end now... Stop stigmatizing these young people, making it harder to find a job, making it harder to get into school, making it harder to turn their lives around.

The only chance women have for justice in this country is to violate the law

Some people feel that because you are black you will never be treated fairly, and that you should voice your opinions, be militant about them. I don't feel this way. You can't convince a fool against his will.

We are saying that when our nation targets law enforcement efforts at someone's appearance or what neighborhood they live in or what job they do, it is not living up to our nation's basic ideals.

We need to notice and be aware of the injustices embedded in our criminal system.

Equal justice means that there is not one set of rules for the powerful and another for everyone else.

I cannot support a measure that chooses to protect some women and not others.

I believe that Trayvon Martin's life might well have been spared if many of us who care about racial justice had raised our voices much, much sooner and much, much more loudly about the routine stereotyping and profiling of young black men and boys.

The notion that a black suspect can do no wrong and is always the victim is B.S.

For me, when I was growing up I was told the police weren't on our side. From being stereotyped because we drive nice cars to being judged for the clothing we wear, I was told I would never be given the benefit of the doubt.

I think our criminal justice system has two problems. We have systematic problems and we have people problems. So if the hearts of people are not about justice than any system you have won't work.

I simply apply the law fairly and equally to all our citizens.