Espaillat Applauds House Passage of The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, Which Includes Multiple Provisions of The Harlem Manifesto, and Urges the Senate to Pass This Bill

Press Release

Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) voted to pass H.R. 7120, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. This bill would take key steps to achieve transformational, structural change to combat the pattern of police violence. Among the many strong provisions of this bill, Congressman Espaillat's bill, H.R. 7206, the Excessive Force Prevention and Accountability Act, which would reform the law on criminal police conduct, making it possible to prosecute officers who use excessive force, is reflected in the first section of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.

"One month ago, George Floyd was murdered, and America is experiencing a moment of national anguish, as we continue to grieve for those killed by police brutality and racial injustice," said Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13). "As his daughter bravely and astutely said in the following days, "Daddy changed the world.' We are listening to the people in the streets in Harlem, in Inwood, in the Bronx and across the country -- to demand justice. The American people are saying loud and clear, Black Lives Matter.

"Led by the Congressional Black Caucus, House Democrats passed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act: bold, unprecedented reforms to curb police brutality, end racial profiling and eliminate qualified immunity for law enforcement. This bill is a step forward in addressing police abuse and America's institutional racism, and I intend to continue fighting for change and for justice."

The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act includes multiple provisions highlighted in the Harlem Manifesto, including:

* Lowering the mens rea standard to hold police criminally accountable for excessive use of force (Congressman Espaillat's bill).
* Ending qualified immunity.
* Banning chokeholds and no-knock warrants
* Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act, which will prohibit the Defense Department from transferring military weapons to state and local law enforcement agencies.
* PEACE Act, which will elevate the use of force requirements for federal officers to ensure that force can only be used as a true last resort.
* Law Enforcement Trust and Integrity Act, which will create accreditation standards to ensure compliance with approved practices and transparency within the community.
* End Racial and Religious Profiling Act, which will prohibit racial profiling and allow individuals to take law enforcement to court of such acts.
* Federal Police CAMERA Act, which will require all law enforcement officers to wear body cameras and prohibit the seizure of cell phones or other recording devices used to document police interactions without a person's consent or a warrant.

Source