Justice in Policing Act
Dear Friend,
Horrific incidents of police violence and unconscionable loss of life have shaken our nation to its core. Our country desperately needs an honest appraisal of the policies that continue to prop up and propel racism. We must address the persistent, unchecked bias in policing, and the violence and hurt it inflicts on our communities of color.
As so many of us engage in critical conversations about systemic racism and inequity in our nation, I think we can all agree that talking is not enough. This moment demands a commitment to do our part to help our nation live up to its promise of equal justice for all. We must act.
Today, I am proud to support my colleagues Senators Cory Booker and Kamala Harris in introducing the Justice in Policing Act to stem the tide of police violence in America. This sweeping police reform legislation includes changes to federal laws that currently stand in the way of police officers being held accountable in court when they violate constitutional rights. It would improve transparency in police departments by creating a national police misconduct registry to ensure problematic officers can't avoid accountability by changing departments and by requiring accurate data reporting on misconduct and use-of-force incidents. It would require broad improvements in police training and incentivize states to ban the use of choke-hold and other airway restrictive holds in their use-of-force policies. It would also finally designate lynching as a federal crime.
I am also doing everything in my power to stand up for Americans' hard won First Amendment rights to assemble peaceably and to petition their government. I was aghast that President Trump ordered the use of pepper spray and flash grenades to forcefully clear away peacefully assembled demonstrators in front of the White House last week. And I will not stand for his threats to deploy members of the U.S. military onto the streets of American communities. I will keep intervening on behalf of peaceful protesters exercising their constitutional rights.
PHOTO: U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich joins his colleagues in a moment of silence at Emancipation Hall in the U.S. Capitol, June 4, 2020.
These past weeks have been a sobering time of reflection for all of us. Last week, I joined my colleagues in the Capitol's Emancipation Hall for a moment of silence. We gathered in memory of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. Our moment of silence lasted 8 minutes and 46 seconds, the length of time that a Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee onto George Floyd's neck. Yesterday I joined the Black Lives Matter march right down to the front of the White House.
Throughout the long road ahead, you have my commitment that I will continue to do everything in my power to stand up for equal justice and civil rights. I encourage you to continue making your voice heard and to contact me about this and any other issues important to you and your family.
Sincerely,
MARTIN HEINRICH
United States Senator
