CNN "The Lead with Jake Tapper" - Transcript: NYPD Officer Killings

Interview

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We have Democratic Congressman Gregory Meeks who represents the fifth district of New York, and he's joining us live to talk about the way forward, the healing, and also, still, this divide that exists between the mayor and the NYPD.

Congressman, thank you for joining us.

I want to ask about this because the mayor asked protesters to postpone these demonstrations until after both of these officers are laid to rest. We do know there are some groups that have promised to come out into the streets and protest today as early as this evening. What do we know about those planned protests and do you think that is the right decision?

REP. GREGORY MEEKS (D), NEW YORK: Well, you know, I understand people's right to demonstrate but if, in fact, you are part of the voices for justice that we're talking about for Mr. Brown and Mr. Garner, then I think that you should respect the call of the mayor, of the borough president of Brooklyn, and let's hold off. There needs to be that discipline because justice for Mr. Garner and Mr. Brown is not what took place. We are all and anyone that cares, we are all very saddened and very, very heartbroken and very concerned about the death, the assassination, if you will, of the two police officers.

MALVEAUX: It's an interesting position. Some people feel like -- they don't feel like protesting, necessarily, is a way of disrespecting those families but we know the head of the NAACP, Cornell William Brooks, told us just yesterday that he thinks this is a moment to exercise judgment and discretion and compassion, and that means perhaps putting those protest signs down for a bit.

But there are peaceful protests and they say this does not have to be something that is mutually exclusive.

MEEKS: Now, I agree. I just think that the symbolism of not protesting now and then resuming after the police officers have been laid to rest and that sense of respect for those individuals who protect our communities is extremely important. Here are two individuals who just went to work and will never go home and families that are hurting.

And out of respect for those families, I just think that it would be a good thing for them to postpone their democratic right to protest peacefully until after the individuals are laid to rest and then we should have the peaceful protests in asking for justice for Mr. Brown and Mr. Garner.

The two are separate. The incidents are separate. I think clearly indicated by the individual who committed the horrible act, this was not revenge. This was a sick individual who did not get the kind of treatment that he needed that committed these crimes.

MALVEAUX: Congressman, let's move on here and talk about the relationship here now that you have between the mayor of New York, De Blasio, and the police department. Because I spoke with Police Chief Charles Ramsey just yesterday. He said, it goes without saying, you've got to have a good relationship between the police and the mayor.

What needs to happen now? How do they mend that rift?

MEEKS: Well, I think that one of the things that need to take place is if Mr. Lynch, who is the president of the police union, and the mayor and Mr. Lynch is willing, they should have a behind the scenes conversation and try to come out collectively on one page. I know I've been talking with the electorate, for example, in the borough of Queens which I represent and we're going to try to make a collective statement saying that we've got to -- we all live -- we've got to listen to one another and not just shout at one another. I think that's tremendously important.

And so, the language that one uses is tremendously important and I just think it's unfortunate that when Mr. Lynch came out with the language about blood at the foot of the mayor, that's just the wrong language at the wrong time. You know, you just don't -- you talk about inciting. That incites. We've got to put that behind.

And that officers, turning their back on the mayor, you know, that is part of what I think that African-Americans talk about the arrogance of police at times -- some police -- that deal with them. They turn their backs and don't have the -- you know, so we've got to figure this out. The only way to figure this out is having a conversation.

So, I look forward to talking to the commanders in the borough of Queens. I think other electorates are talking to those people.

MALVEAUX: OK.

MEEKS: They have that kind of conversation.

MALVEAUX: All right.

MEEKS: The mayor with Mr. Lynch.

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