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The tragic killings over the past few days have shaken all of us. Kentucky State University joins the world as we mourn the horrible deaths of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Philando Castile in Falcon Heights, Minnesota.

We mourn the deaths of the five police officers killed during a protest over police violence in downtown Dallas, Texas.

We must do better. We must unite. We must stand together committed to one another, ushering in a wave of change, justice, life, improved communication, education, equality and dignity for all. And above all, we can let neither fear nor hatred divide us. The catalyst for change in our nation is peace, unity, love and non-violence.

We pray for the families of those who have lost their loved ones during these horrendous incidents this week, and we pray for the emotional healing of our nation during this turbulent time.

This violence must stop.

Sincerely,

Aaron Thompson, PhD

Interim President, Kentucky State University