Democratic lawmakers gave new momentum to federal police reform Saturday, on the fourth anniversary of George Floyd’s death.
Floyd, a Black man, died on May 25, 2020, after a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for more than nine minutes. His final words, “I can’t breathe,” became a rallying cry for worldwide protests following the incident.
The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which was reintroduced by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), earlier this week. The bill, first introduced by lawmaker-turned-mayor Karen Bass (D-Calif.) after Floyd’s death, passed the then-Democratic-led House, but the legislation stalled in the Republican-majority Senate.
If passed, the legislation would lower criminal intent standards for police officers accused of misconduct in a federal case. It would also limit qualified immunity as a defense to liability in civil lawsuits.
The bill would also limit the use of force and restrict no-knock warrants, chokeholds and carotid holds.
“Too many lives have been lost or forever changed due to unacceptable incidents of police brutality across our country,” said Jackson Lee. “We cannot allow another American to be deprived of their immunity, dignity and constitutional right without taking action. ”
Speaking on the House floor, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) urged her colleagues to support the legislation.
“The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act would be a critical step toward creating national standards for policing,” she wrote Saturday on social media platform X. “Through tangible reforms, we can save other Black lives.”
Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-California) echoed a similar feeling.
“Four years ago, George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis. His last words, “I can’t breathe,” mobilized millions of people around the world to call for an end to police brutality,” she wrote. “We must honor his memory by passing the Democrats’ George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2024.”
Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) said the country is still being reminded that it needs to work in a “system that has failed too many Black Americans.”
“Congress must continue this work,” she posted. “We should start by passing the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act – important accountability and reform legislation.”
Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, he said Floyd’s words “triggered a resurgence of our movement to create a more just world, starting with those whose job it is to protect and serve.” He urged Congress to move forward with the legislation.
Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Florida) said Floyd was a “son, brother and father who deserved so much more than to be murdered in the streets.”
“Disrespect for Black humanity remains, and Black Americans continue to face countless injustices daily,” Frost wrote in a statement. post on X. “George Floyd’s legacy, and the legacies of so many others, reaffirms our commitment to real change, not just in his memory, but for a just future.”
The White House also shared messages honoring Floyd and asking people to “take action in his memory.”
Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.), a co-sponsor of another police reform bill, said he is thinking of Floyd’s daughter, Gianna, and “everyone else who knew and loved him.”
“We have a responsibility to continue to fight for racial justice and defend Black lives,” he said. “Rest in power, George.”
Bowman joined Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) in introducing the Helping Families Heal Act, which would provide mental health resources to families affected by police violence.
Bush reintroduced legislation on what would have been the 28thth birthday of Michael Brown, a black teenager who was killed by St. Louis police when he was 18 years old. His death, like Floyd’s, became a catalyst for the Black Lives Matter movement and calls for nationwide police reform.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
