Accountability should not be such a rare commodity

“No justice, No peace…” is one of the rallying cries we have heard screamed consistently through the streets of this nation for the past year, sparked, in part, by the murder of George Floyd at the hands of a Minnesota police officer.

We have witnessed people so disturbed, angry and compelled by the video of George Floyd with a knee on his neck taking his last breath that during a global pandemic they have organized, rallied, marched, painted murals in memoriam, fought for accountability, and demanded police reform and systematic change at historic levels. This week’s guilty verdicts are a direct reflection of the collective efforts of so many people to end police brutality and fight against the devaluation of Black Lives.

To the jurors, prosecutors, activists, artists, family of George Floyd and those who fight for needed and overdue change, I say ‘thank you and keep up the pressure.’  The continued cases of officer involved murders of Black men and women demonstrate the persistent work that is needed to ensure that there will be no more cases like Mr. Floyd’s. The guilty verdicts and hopefully the ultimate sentencing will serve as a symbol of acknowledgement of wrongdoing and accountability that can bring us a step closer to the justice so many of us are seeking and the peace this nation needs.

I continue to pray and work for the day that no family has to feel the loss that George Floyd’s family has, that policing in this nation is done differently, that accountability is not a celebrated rare occasion, and that Black Lives are valued by all. To that end and to honor his memory, I have introduced a resolution for the City of Milwaukee to go on record in support of and to lobby for the passage of the federal George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.

Although I recognize that no single piece of legislation will solve all of the issues related to our nation’s longstanding crises in police killings of Black men and Black women, the Justice in Policing Act is uniquely created to help push us toward increased accountability and justice where it is sorely needed.

The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act is the first-ever bold, comprehensive approach to holding police accountable, ending racial profiling, changing the culture of law enforcement, empowering communities, and building trust between law enforcement and communities by addressing systemic racism and bias to help save lives. The Act would: 1) establish a national standard for the operation of police departments; 2) mandate data collection on police encounters; 3) reprogram existing funds to invest in transformative community-based policing programs; and 4) streamline federal law to prosecute excessive force and establish independent prosecutors for police investigations.

I strongly urge residents to contact our members in Congress (Senators and U.S. Representatives) and urge them to work for passage of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.