#Not In My Name
American police shoot, kill and imprison more people than any other developed country.
CNN Headline - Mon June 8, 2020
After the death of George Floyd, protesters of all ages, colors and backgrounds filled American cities demanding justice for the death and seeking to end a litany of police killings of black Americans.
But people from black and brown communities say they haven’t felt safe or protected by their local police for years. Far too many black and brown bodies have been sacrificed in service of today’s fear-based policing policies, and white bodies are being sacrificed too — all usually justified in the name of protecting white privilege, wealth and elite businesses and communities.
As fair minded citizens of all races, gender, economic status I hope that we individually and collectively say: Not in My Name.
Not in my Name will brutal police practices be carried out on the bodies of unarmed black and brown citizens. Not in My Name will police ignore their responsibility to protect poor, black, and brown communities as vigorously as they protect white and affluent ones.
Not in My Name will there be a blue wall of silence that covers for officers committing acts of violence and brutality upon innocent American citizens; and Not in My Name will police fail to be criminally sanctioned for the killing of unarmed people regardless of their race or ethnicity.
Feb. 2012 16 y/o Trayvon Martin was stalked and killed by a volunteer crime watcher while on his way home with skittles and ice tea. His attacker George Zimmerman was acquitted.
July 2013 Sandra Bland died in a lonely jail cell after being arrested in a minor traffic stop. The cause of her death was never determined. No criminal charges filed.
July 2014 Eric Garner was killed by an illegal choke hold administered by a police officer. He was selling cigarettes on a New York street. The officer was not criminally charged.
August 2014 Michael Brown was shot and killed by a police officer. Most witnesses say his hands were up. His dead body was left in the street in full view of family and friends for five hours. No charges were filed against the police officer.
Nov. 2014 12 y/o Tamir Rice was shot and killed on the playground. Police fired on him within two seconds of approaching him. No criminal charges were filed.
April 14 2015 Walter Scott was shot in the back after a traffic stop. A state jury failed to convict the police officer. He was charged with a civil rights violation and is serving time in federal prison.
August 19 2015 Freddie Gray died from injuries received while being transported by police. The officers responsible were acquitted on all charges.
July 6 2016 Philando Castiel was killed in the presence of his fiance and her 4 y/o daughter. He was shot after a routine stop by a police officer. The officer was not charged.
Nov. 2017 Tanisha Anderson was killed after she was slammed to the ground stomped and held in a prone position by police officers. Her mother called 911 because she was having a mental health episode. Her death was ruled a homicide. No charges were filed.
March 23 2018 police shot unarmed Stephon Clark twenty times without warning in his grandparents back yard. He was holding a cell phone.
March 13 2020 police in Louisville Kentucky shot unarmed Breonna Taylor while she lay sleeping in her bed as police executed a “no knock” warrant.
May 25 2020 George Floyd, was killed in Minneapolis, during an arrest for allegedly using a counterfeit bill. A white police officer knelt on Floyd's neck for almost nine minutes while Floyd was handcuffed and lying face down in the street, begging for his life and repeatedly saying "I can't breathe".
Putting Your Voice Where Your Heart Is.
How often do police personnel meet with and/or talk to your local community leaders or citizens about fear-based policing policies? Is there any kind of dialog between your community and your local police?
Effectively engaging with law enforcement requires first understanding the policies and procedures that authorize and teach police that it’s acceptable to use violent force when protecting white privilege and safety. Only then can we must seek out ways to better sensitize law enforcement officials to unconscious biases that might be influencing how they interact with the communities they serve, and each other. Our goal is for police departments to have the kinds of skill building and training that enables safe, effective alternatives to the use of deadly force. Here’s how we do it.
Reach Out To Police
Request a meeting with your local law enforcement official. Then start with appreciation:
“I appreciate your commitment to keep our community safe.”
Hear their story:
“I would like to understand the police procedures, your policy and practices that govern policing in this community”.
Tell the truth: (What you have seen, noticed, or are concerned about). “ I have been concerned about… I have noticed… I feel…. I think…” Find Your Local Police Department
Listen, Learn & Monitor
Get to know your law enforcement officers and monitor police and law enforcement activity in your community, city or state.
Key questions to ask:
How many police encounters have involved the use of a gun or other weapon?
- How many resulted in injury or death?
- Were any of these cross-cultural? (meaning the police or other law enforcement official were of a different race, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation than the citizen they encountered.)
How are violent encounters reported?
Is there additional training that would save lives?
Does your department use other professionals to solve problems? (For example in domestic violence do they employ social workers to help manage those cases? )
Stand Up For Others
Most police officers perform their duties admirably.
But there are far too many instances of brutal police tactics being carried out - and too many of our fellow citizens are suffering.
It is clear to any responsible, conscious American that we are facing a health crisis…America’s health. We need citizen review boards especially when someone is killed by police.
As such, it is imperative that all of us stand with those who cannot always stand for themselves.
Our Hear and Now video conversations show people of different perspectives discussing issues like police violence. Watching can help you prepare for critical conversations in your life.
Hear & Now Video Conversations