WASHINGTON, DC — Following the House passage of the Justice in Policing Act today, People For the American Way President Ben Jealous and Senior Director of Outreach and Public Engagement Diallo Brooks released the following statements:

“We applaud House Democrats for passing the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020. This is a critical and long overdue first step in the fight to end police killings. Now it’s the Senate’s turn to take this bill up and strengthen it so our country has in place meaningful policies and practices that will keep Americans safe. We have a moral responsibility to ensure public safety for all communities and to hold police officers accountable for misconduct, violence and the killing of unarmed people. We must also remember that at the local and state level, we can go even further by taking immediate actions to achieve the police reforms we need for lasting change,” said Jealous.

“We are encouraged to see House Democrats taking the lead on a bill that begins to address police violence and seeks to end the use of chokeholds like the one that killed George Floyd. We must ban no-knock warrants like the one that led to Breonna Taylor’s killing. We also must end qualified immunity so police officers can be held accountable. If Senate Republicans are serious about prioritizing safety and protecting our communities, they will take up and strengthen the Justice in Policing Act, which will save lives,” said Brooks.

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.