George Floyd Justice in Policing Act Reintroduced 4 Years After Infamous Police Killing in Minneapolis

George Floyd Justice in Policing Act Reintroduced 4 Years After Infamous Police Killing in . MinneapolisThe George Floyd Justice in Policing Act was reintroduced in Congress on Thursday, May 25, 2023, on the fourth anniversary of George Floyd’s murder by police officer Derek Chauvin. The bill aims to address police brutality, accountability, and transparency, and was originally introduced in June 2020. If passed, it would be the first comprehensive law enforcement accountability and transparency legislation.

The bill was reintroduced by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, along with family members of Black people killed by law enforcement, civil rights organizations, and members of Congress. Rev. Al Sharpton, founder and president of the National Action Network, said it’s time to finally pass the bill, which fulfills a promise made to the families of those killed by law enforcement.

“Far too many lives have been lost or forever changed due to unacceptable incidents of police brutality throughout our nation,” Jackson Lee said during a press conference. “We cannot allow another American to be deprived of his or her humanity, dignity, and constitutional right without taking action.”

The bill aims to:

– End police brutality

– Hold police accountable

– Improve transparency in policing

– Create meaningful structural change in law enforcement

Notable provisions include:

– Redefining legal terms to facilitate prosecution of killer cops

– No new federal funding for police departments

– Collecting data on officers accused of misconduct

– Establishing a national registry to prevent fired officers from being rehired

– Mandating body and dashboard cameras

– Banning chokeholds and making lynching a federal crime

The bill has faced opposition from Republican Senator Tim Scott, who supports qualified immunity for police officers. President Joe Biden signed an executive order on policing in 2022, which promotes accountability and raises police standards, but civil rights groups say a broader legislative effort is needed.

“The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act fulfills a promise we made four years ago to his and every family of a Black man or woman killed by law enforcement,” Sharpton said. “Until cops know they can lose their job, their pension, or their house, they will continue to use excessive force and betray the public trust. I made this clear at George’s funeral four years ago.”

The reintroduction of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act comes as the US continues to grapple with police brutality and systemic racism. The bill’s passage would be a significant step towards addressing these issues and creating meaningful change in law enforcement.

Since Floyd’s murder, there have been numerous high-profile cases of police brutality, including the deaths of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and Eric Garner. These incidents have sparked widespread protests and calls for reform.

The bill has received support from various civil rights organizations, including the NAACP, the Urban League, and the ACLU. “This bill is a critical step towards addressing the systemic issues that have led to the deaths of so many Black people at the hands of law enforcement,” said Derrick Johnson, president of the NAACP.

The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act has also received support from some law enforcement groups, including the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives. “This bill is not anti-police, it’s pro-community,” said Lynda Williams, president of the organization. “It’s about creating a safer and more just society for everyone.”

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• The City of Minneapolis has reached a provisional settlement with a witness to George Floyd’s homicide