An association representing African American-owned newspapers and media companies says a "state of emergency" currently exists in terms of police violence toward black Americans.

The National Newspaper Publishers Association issued a short statement last week calling on President Barack Obama and Congress to take several steps to address the situation. Among other things, the association wants elected leaders to appoint a special prosecutor on police brutality, establish an oversight commission on the use of deadly force by police and establish tougher penalties for police officers and prosecutors who violate citizens' constitutional rights.

The statement comes after a string of deadly police shootings involving black men in recent months.

"Millions of our readers across the nation are once again outraged at the latest fatal incidents of police brutality in Tulsa, Okla., and Charlotte, N.C," NNPA said. "These are not isolated incidents, but are a deadly national pattern of police violence and prosecutorial misconduct. A state of emergency now exists in Black America."

NNPA represents 211 African American-owned newspapers based in 32 states. http://bit.ly/2dEkVEN

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