Washington, D.C. – Following today’s announcement that Congressional negotiators have failed to reach bipartisan agreement on a police reform bill, despite the House’s earlier passage of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, People For the American Way President Ben Jealous released the following statement:

“Republican intransigence on ending police violence is blocking the basic steps we need to save lives. Not only is their refusal to consider ending qualified immunity reprehensible, they also refused to budge on a range of other reforms that actually had the support of law enforcement. It’s time for state and local governments to take the lead. Policing can be changed and communities made safer right now, at the local level. Look at Ithaca, New York, where they are replacing their traditional police force with a new public safety department and a focus on unarmed response. Other communities can and should commit to reimagining public safety now, before more lives are lost and more families forced to grieve.”

 About People For the American Way      

People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and build a democratic society that implements the ideals of freedom, equality, opportunity and justice for all. We encourage civic participation, defend fundamental rights, and fight to dismantle systemic barriers to equitable opportunity. Learn more: https://www.pfaw.org.