Hosted by Mothers Against Police Brutality, CODEPINK, National Congress of Black Women and Hands Up DC Coalition, mothers who have lost their children to police brutality will travel to Washington DC from December 9-11 to call for police accountability, policy reform and justice for victims’ families.
Aimed to coincide with International Human Rights Day (December 10), this delegation will consist of six women from different parts of the country—from New York to Texas to California. During their time in Washington, the women will:
· Meet with elected officials to push for investigations, legislation and support in their ongoing call for accountability;
· Hold a press conference to highlight their stories and key demands;
· Conduct interviews with print, TV and key social media;
· Participate in a major public event that will be livestreamed
· Participate in a strategy meeting with organizations/individuals working on mass incarceration, police brutality, gun laws and other related issues;
· Attend a reception with officials, funders, faith leaders and organizations working on similar issues.
The group will also pave the way for a larger gathering in Washington DC on Mothers Day.
The women will come to Washington to advocate for changing existing laws that leave families vulnerable to police brutality and accountability loopholes.
The changes they’d like to see include:
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Effective civilian reviews of police misconduct.
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Transparency in investigations of police officers.
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A comprehensive, public national-level database of police shootings.
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Significant reforms to the federal programs that equip police departments with military gear.
It’s time to end policies and attitudes that have created and encouraged a culture of militant combat officers instead of peace officers. All families deserve to be served and protected by police, and police must obey the law while enforcing the law.
Collette Flanagan
Mothers Against Police Brutality
Medea Benjamin
CODEPINK
Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq.
National Congress of Black Women
Marsha Coleman-Adebayo
DC Hands Up Coalition