Mayors and City Leaders,
The Obama Foundation presented a list of actions that can be taken by local government to address use of force.
The killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and the loss of far too many Black lives to list, have left our nation anguished and outraged.
More than 1,000 people are killed by police every year in America, and Black people are three times more likely to be killed than White people.
We can take steps and make reforms to combat police violence and systemic racism within law enforcement. Together, we can work to redefine public safety so that it recognizes the humanity and dignity of every person.
Mayors and other City Council officials are uniquely positioned to introduce common-sense limits on police use of force. That’s why the Obama Foundation is calling on mayors to
commit to the following actions
:
1. REVIEW
your police use of force policies.
2. ENGAGE
your communities by including a diverse range of input, experiences, and stories in your review.
3. REPORT
the findings of your review to your community and seek feedback.
4. REFORM
your community’s police use of force policies.
Everyone can support this effort—and we hope that individuals across the country will take action to urge their mayors to take these steps for change.
Here also is a helpful
toolkit
from the Leadership Conference On Civil Rights on Public Safety Reform that advocates for fair, safe and inclusive community policing.
How is your community convening to hold difficult conversations and address systemic racism and hate?
Send us your perspective and examples of effective action in this moment.
