Since the murder of George Floyd at the hands of law enforcement on May 25, Black Lives Matter demonstrators across the US are demanding police reform. Several celebrities are also taking a stand. Rihanna, Meek Mill, Ariana Grande, Kehlani, and more have signed an open letter supporting the new George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.
Not sure what the George Gloyd Justice in Policing Act is? Find our brief guide below.
What is it?
The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act is a comprehensive plan that aims to address many of the issues regarding systemic racism and brutality in law enforcement.
As the NAACP explains, “the legislation holds all law enforcement officials accountable for their actions, ends ‘qualified immunity’ for police officers, ends racial and religious profiling, empowers our communities, establishes uniform policies for the use of force, mandates data collection on police encounters, bans chokeholds and ‘no knock’ warrants.”
Notably, the legislation also “limits military equipment on American streets, requires body-worn cameras, and classifies lynching as a hate crime, therefore making it open to Federal resources for investigations and prosecutions.”
Who has signed it?
Among those supporting the new legislation are members of the music and entertainment industries, who have signed an open letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, urging them to vote in its favor next week. Rihanna, Meek Mill, Ariana Grande, Kehlani, Post Malone, Billie Eilish, Grimes, and A$AP Ferg are among the many celebrities pushing for the act. You can find the full letter and see the complete list of signees here.
What can you do?
The House of Representatives is expected to consider the legislation next week. Until then you too can help push for its ratification, here’s how:
- Sign the petition here.
- Make a call: You can contact your Representatives and US Senators. Dial Capitol Switchboard and ask to be transferred to your Senators’/Congressman’s offices. The switchboard phone number is (202) 224-3121
- Send an email: Visit the US House of Representatives website and find your state’s representative here. The page will redirect you to his / her web page, which will have instructions on how to get in contact with them.
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Write a letter: To write letters to your Senators, address them to: The Honorable (name of Senator)
U.S. Senate Washington, D.C. 20510
To write a letter to your Representative, address it to: The Honorable (name of Representative)
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515