WASHINGTON — (AP) — Joe Biden is facing growing calls to select a Black woman as his running mate as an acknowledgment of their critical role in the Democratic Party and a response to the nationwide protests against racism and inequality.

The shifting dynamics were clear late Thursday when Amy Klobuchar took herself out of contention.

The white Minnesota senator told MSNBC that “this is a moment to put a woman of color on that ticket.”

The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee has already pledged to select a woman as vice president. After the police killing of George Floyd, many Democratic strategists say there’s growing consensus that the pick should be a Black woman.