Agenda Text
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Supporting Congresswoman Pressley's Congressional Resolution against police brutality, racial profiling, and the use of excessive and militarized force throughout the country.
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Official Text
WHEREAS, The tragic murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor by police officers have provoked unprecedented nationwide protests against long-present racism in our systems of policing and law enforcement - “a traumatic deja vu” in the words of Massachusetts Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley; and
WHEREAS, At these very protests against police brutality, protestors across the country have faced violent and unjust attacks from law enforcement, often in full view of cameras and media coverage, and many of these incidents have been blatantly mischaracterized by law enforcement prior to videos being made public; and
WHEREAS, The City of Somerville has re-committed to taking immediate, constructive actions through policies to increase transparency and democratic control over how our community polices itself and promotes the health and safety of all of our residents with an eye on equity, including a number of specific reforms presented by both the City Council and the Mayor; and
WHEREAS, Congresswomen Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Ilhan Omar (MH-05), Barbara Lee (CA-13), and Karen Bass (CA-37) have introduced a Resolution in Congress “Condemning all acts of police brutality, racial profiling, and the use of excessive and militarized force throughout the country” that includes a number of specific steps to be taken at all levels of government; and
WHEREAS, This Resolution has been supported by the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus as part of their “10 Point Plan” for local, State, and Federal actions to undertake immediately; and
WHEREAS, The Somerville City Council is committed to enacting concrete changes within our direct power and also advocating on behalf of our community at all levels of government to bring an end to police brutality and racial discrimination; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, That the Somerville City Council goes on record in support of this Resolution condemning police brutality, racial profiling, and the use of excessive and militarized force throughout the country, and stands in support of Black people and communities of color which face disproportionate injustice in our criminal justice system; AND BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, That the City Clerk forward a copy of this Resolution to our Federal Delegation, on behalf of the City Council.