JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. Jamilah Nasheed, D-St. Louis, issued the following statement relating to the appointment of Michael Middleton as the interim president of the University of Missouri system.

“I want to congratulate President Middleton on his appointment today, I have the utmost confidence in his leadership” Sen. Nasheed said. “There is no place in our society for the systemic racism that still exists. Racism of any kind simply tears apart communities and must be stopped. I know Mr. Middleton will lead the effort to weed out the systemic racism within the University of Missouri system.  I know that he is the right man for the job.”