Hillary Clinton called out "systemic racism" in the criminal justice system, during the Democratic debate in Charleston, South Carolina, on Sunday night.
And when NBC Nightly News Anchor Lester Holt asked, "are black lives being cheap a reality or just perception?" Clinton answered: "Sadly, it's reality."
Police brutality, and how to combat it, was a large topic at the debate, which took place not far from where Scott — a black man from North Charleston — was shot and killed as he ran away from a police officer.
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"It has been heartbreaking, and incredibly outraging, to see the constant stories of young men like Walter Scott, who have been killed by police officers," she said. "There needs to be a concerted effort to address the systemic racism in our criminal justice system."
Holt/NBC Death of Walter Scott played into feeling among black men that their lives are cheap. True? Clinton: Sadly, it's reality #nprdebate— NPR Politics (@nprpolitics) January 18, 2016
Sen. Bernie Sanders for his part said that if anyone dies in police custody, it should automatically trigger an investigation from the U.S. Department of Justice.
Bernie: Anytime someone dies in police custody should automatically trigger a US Justice Dept. investigation. pic.twitter.com/3K9vTRWc7B— Jim Roberts (@nycjim) January 18, 2016