In summer 2020, people in the United States were forced to acknowledge and grapple with the violence, systemic injustice and inequity that Black Americans have been subjected to in this country. With the death of George Floyd being recorded and shared all over the world, we urgently began to ask ourselves what can be done to make systemic changes in our laws, police forces, incarceration practices, and our justice system so we could finally be a nation where Black Lives Mattered.
The “ACTS of Reimagining Workshop was designed by Brooklyn For Peace www.brooklynpeace.org to educate ourselves about the concrete legislation which has emerged following the tremendous popular uprisings in 2020. We discussed two bills which have been submitted to Congress: The People’s Response Act (submitted Rep. Cori Bush, H.R. 4194,) is the first piece of federal legislation that is fully inspired by the BREATHE Act framework). It has 32 co-sponsors thus far. The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act (introduced in in 2021 by Rep. Karen Bass, H.R.1280.) has passed the House, and has been referred to the Senate.
In comparing the two bills, we interrogated what elements would bring us closer to real accountability, real investment in community safety, and genuine equity for historically underserved communities. We reviewed the research presented by Prof. Alex Vitale, documenting that investment in police training does not by itself result in changes in police behavior. (See our Forum Reimagining Community Safety and Policing.)
The goal of the workshop was to create action plans which will bring lasting change and peace with justice. The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act has important points; however, a majority of those participating in the workshop believe the People’s Response Act goes farther in promoting community safety.
These next steps were proposed:
Convene a group to educate ourselves and others about the People’s Response Act.
Learn what local groups are organizing around it, and develop strategic relationships with them.
Additional resources:
Teach-in (July 16, 2021) for the People’s Response Act:
Recording and List of Participants
Petitions to sign:
Organizations: Endorsement and Sign-on Letter
Individuals: Petition
