New Jersey-2022-AR108-Introduced

An Assembly Resolution condemning police brutality and the excessive use of force by law enforcement.

Whereas, Recent events have brought attention to the tragic deaths of unarmed Black men and women, and other people of color, due to police brutality and excessive use of force by law enforcement; and

Whereas, These abuses have led to community destabilization and a decrease in public safety; and

Whereas, Police brutality and excessive use of force disproportionately affect people of color, particularly Black people; and

Whereas, Police use of force is among the leading causes of death of young men of color; and

Whereas, Black people, Native Americans, and Latinos are killed by police at disproportionately higher rates; and

Whereas, People with disabilities and other historically marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants, and those experiencing homelessness also are significantly more likely to be victims of police violence; and

Whereas, On March 13, 2020, Breonna Taylor, a 26 year-old Black woman, was shot to death in her sleep by police when they raided her home; and

Whereas, Maurice Gordon, a 28 year-old unarmed Black man, was killed in New Jersey on May 23, 2020 after being pulled over for allegedly speeding; and

Whereas, On May 25, 2020, George Floyd, a 46 year-old unarmed Black man, died after being pinned down by a white police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota; his alleged offense was using a counterfeit $20 bill; and

Whereas, The death of George Floyd sparked ongoing protests in all 50 states and many countries around the world; and

Whereas, In addition to George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Maurice Gordon, many other lives have been lost as a result of police brutality and the excessive use of force by law enforcement; and

Whereas, Not only have the communities of these individuals suffered, but this loss of life has inflicted intergenerational harm and trauma to families; and

Whereas, This House finds that the conduct of officers who engage in excessive use of force, which can include shootings, brutal beatings, fatal chokings, and any other excessive treatment, is a violation of the Constitutions of the United States and the State of New Jersey; and

Whereas, This House finds that the rule of law is undermined when police officers engage in conduct inconsistent with the Constitution of the United States and the State of New Jersey; and

Whereas, This House has a moral and constitutional obligation to protect the civil rights and liberties of all people from police abuses; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. This House strongly condemns police brutality and the excessive use of force by law enforcement.

2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the President and Vice President of the United States of America, the presiding officers of the United States Senate and the House of Representatives, each member of Congress elected from the State of New Jersey, and the Attorney General of the State of New Jersey.

STATEMENT

This resolution strongly condemns policy brutality and the excessive use of force by law enforcement officers.

Recent events have brought attention to the tragic deaths of unarmed Black men and women, and other people of color, due to police brutality and excessive use of force by law enforcement. These abuses have led to community destabilization and a decrease in public safety.

On May 25, 2020, George Floyd, a 46 year-old unarmed Black man, died after being pinned down by a white police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota; his alleged offense was using a counterfeit $20 bill. The death of George Floyd sparked ongoing protests in all 50 states and many countries around the world. In addition to Mr. Floyd, countless other lives have been lost as a result of police brutality and the excessive use of force by law enforcement.

Police brutality and excessive use of force disproportionately affect people of color, particularly Black people, and are among the leading causes of death of young men of color. People with disabilities and other historically marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants, and those experiencing homelessness also are significantly more likely to be victims of police violence.

Excessive use of force, which can include shootings, brutal beatings, fatal chokings, and any other excessive treatment, violates the constitutional rights of those affected. These actions must be condemned, and the constitutional rights of those who fall victim to these abuses must be protected.