Rep. Ruiz hosts roundtable discussion with black leaders of the Coachella Valley to address protests

On Wednesday morning Rep. Raul Ruiz, M.D. hosted a discussion with prominent black leaders of the Coachella Valley. They discussed protests, racism, and action amid a series of crimes targeting black people throughout the nation.

"There's systemic racism that runs through the vain of America," Palm Springs First Baptist Church Pastor, Rodney Croom said.

Participants covered several topics and proposed ideas for changed.

I didn't see the video. I saw the still picture and that was enough. I didn't want to internalize the trauma because as black people we have generations of trauma," Director of Planning and Public Works at Desert Recreational District, Troy Strange said.

A few said they intentionally chose not to watch the disturbing video that showed moments leading up to the death of George Floyd. Others did watch the video.

"I had to really pray and just deal with my own heart," Croom said.

Many candidly expressed their own run-ins with racism, even in the Coachella Valley.

"When we saw that video it was a bad thing but I've seen that video in person," Desert Hot Springs City Councilwoman, Jan Pay said.

The raw discussion was held amid protests that have gripped the nation and the world. On Monday, the Coachella Valley saw some of its first protests in Palm Springs and Palm Desert. Many are rallying for justice.

The group came up with a number of solutions they said need to happen to make change.

"We don't do enough in education to get people to understand the conflicts that have gone on historically," retired Master Sergeant Edward Brackin, Air Force JROTC said.

The group also emphasized that the whole community needs to go out and vote.

"Vote from the local level all the way up to the presidency," Desert Hot Springs Word of Live Executive Pastor, Ricina Sheppard said.

"Go all the way down to your municipal and city elections and put these people out of office who don't bring change in your community," Desert Hot Springs Word of Life Fellowship, Bishop Kephyan Sheppard said.

The group also spoke on law enforcement reform. They proposed alternatives to the recruiting process, among other things.

"There should be something put in place that allows the community to police the police," Desert Hot Springs First Baptist Church Pastor James Baylark said.

Many acknowledged that not all police officers are bad. They said it would take policing among officers themselves, and a change to the system that is currently in place, in order to make a difference.

"Psychological evaluations-- I don't know how often they happen but maybe they should happen every 6 months," Pastor Sheppard said.

Bishop Kephyan Sheppard said he served as the chaplain for the Desert Hot Springs Police Department. He said during ride-alongs, officers shared things that they've seen and may never be able to forget.

"They suffer, they go through traumatizing experiences all day everyday and I can only imagine without a 'psych eval' or without psychiatric care periodically, how that stuff just builds and mounts," Bishop Sheppard said.

Sheppard said psychiatric evaluations should be mandated. In the meantime, all aimed for a positive outcome as people all across the country fight to end systemic racism.

"Let's spread the word with love, let's spread the word with education," Pastor Sheppard said.