There are no words to describe the heartache that people in communities across the country have been dealing with. Citizens for Local Power hopes that you and your family are safe and well. We are devastated by and furious about George Floyd's death, and the many others that have come before it. We remember him, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and every other person on the long list of Black Americans who have been victims of violence and injustice. Since Jan. 1, 2015, 1,265 black people have been shot and killed by police, according to The Washington Post's database tracking police shootings; that doesn't include those who died in police custody or were killed using other methods. Putting an end to this horror requires many steps, but policymakers know what they have to do. We will honor the life and presence of George Floyd by making change. Police accountability comes first, in the form of rescinding New York state Civil Rights Law Section 50-a, which allows for police misconduct and abuse records to be kept secret from the public. The record of police injustice should not be hidden, and civilians should have a strong platform for speaking out. We will support Mr. Floyd’s legacy by providing more funds for community health and safety--instead of policing--and an end to the militarization of police. The past days and weeks have, once again, shone a spotlight on the tremendous injustices in our society. We stand in solidarity with our community who are voicing their anguish, anger, and deep frustration with systems that oppress Black Lives. We can’t fight climate change if we don’t also fight for the empowerment of our Black Community. We must lift up these voices. We won't stop until we have true police accountability.
CITIZENS FOR LOCAL POWER STANDS IN SOLIDARTY FOR BLACK LIVES MATTER