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Sen. Warren headlines event days after calling criminal justice system 'racist'

Senator Elizabeth Warren headlined at an Abortion Rights Forum in Boston on Monday, days after calling the criminal justice system "racist."

Warren was quoted saying the comments at an event in New Orleans, striking a nerve from law enforcement around the country.

"The hard truth about our criminal justice system: It's racist," Warren said. "I mean, front to back."

The nation's top law enforcement official, United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions, didn't hold back when reacting to Warren's comments.

"That is a very damaging statement," Sessions said. "It's a slander to every officer and prosecutor in America. I think it's an insult to families and the crime victims."

In a letter to Senator Warren, Dudley Police Chief Steve Wojnar, the president of the Massachusetts Police Chiefs Association didn't hold back when reacting to Warren's statements.

"Labeling the entire criminal justice profession as "racist" spreads false and damaging information about our members," Wojnar wrote.

Wojnar spoke to Boston 25 News on the phone about the comments, and doubled down on his criticism.

"The initial reaction was frustration, and you're upset about it," Wojnar said. "It doesn't do any good to paint anyone, any profession, any race, religion, group with a broad brush."

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Warren wrote a letter to Wojnar, thanking him for his "thoughtful comments" and saying she had spoken to him on the phone, but also had promised a written response.

"The criminal justice system encompasses many layers - from law enforcement to court reporters to parole officers," Warren wrote. "I have been fortunate to meet many people who serve in different parts of the criminal justice system, and I know there are hundreds of thousands more dedicated public servants who work difficult and dangerous jobs and are committed to improving that system. I am grateful for their service."

Warren then talked about the negatives of the system, saying she'd "also met with people whose lives have been shattered by a broken criminal justice system."

"I have held mothers who wept while they have talked of the sons and daughters they have lost due to senseless violence," Warren wrote. "I have met children who are growing up without their fathers or mothers because of senseless laws. I have met women who cannot rebuild their lives or rejoin their families because of a criminal conviction."

Yarmouth Police Chief Fred Frederickson also weighed in with a Facebook post, saying Warren recently made "some efforts" to pay respects to Weymouth and Yarmouth officers killed in the line of duty.

"Tarnished us all and diminished the sincerity of her condolence efforts," Frederickson said.

Warren did not speak to reporters after the event in Boston, not addressing the comments made.