Black Freedom Struggle in the United States:

Tag Archives: police brutality

115 H.R. 4332 (Introduced in the House): Grand Jury Reform Act of 2017

Bill text: To provide that in the case of a law enforcement officer who uses deadly force against a person, and thereby causes the death of that person, a hearing shall be conducted before a judge to determine whether there is probable cause for the State to bring criminal charges against the law enforcement officer relating to the death of the person, and for other purposes., 2017

114 H.R. 429 (Introduced in the House): Grand Jury Reform Act of 2015

Bill text: To provide that in the case of a law enforcement officer who uses deadly force against a person, and thereby causes the death of that person, a hearing shall be conducted before a judge to determine whether there is probable cause for the State to bring criminal charges against the law enforcement officer relating to the death of the person, and for other purposes., 2015

Congressional Black Caucus: The Missing Black Male

Congressional Record: Donald M. Payne Jr., Barbara Lee, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Cedric L. Richmond, and George Kenneth Butterfield Jr. on the issues affecting Black males, including incarceration, health, the increasing suicide rate among Black youth, and the missing Black male in our society., 2015

The “Militarization” of Law Enforcement and the Department of Defense’s “1033 Program”, CRS Insight

CRS Report: Addresses concerns regarding “militarization” of law enforcement and expanding role of special weapons and tactics (SWAT) teams, in light of recent clashes between police and protesters in Ferguson, Mo. Examines possible militarization role of DOD “1033 Program,” established to provide material support to authorized Federal and State law enforcement agencies in the form of transfers of articles suitable for use in counterdrug and counterterrorism activities., 2014

The Ferguson Effect

Congressional Record: Patrick J. Toomey’s comments on the Ferguson protests, 2015

113 H.R. 5830 (Introduced in the House): Grand Jury Reform Act of 2014

Bill text: To provide that in the case of a law enforcement officer who uses deadly force against a person, and thereby causes the death of that person, a hearing shall be conducted before a judge to determine whether there is probable cause for the State to bring criminal charges against the law enforcement officer relating to the death of the person, and for other purposes., 2014

116 S. Res. 612 (Introduced in the Senate)

Bill text: Expressing the sense of the Senate that the tragic death of George Floyd was unjust and the perpetrators must stand trial and be brought to justice, the First Amendment of the Constitution guarantees individuals the right to peaceably assemble and protest, groups like Antifa and the individuals who took over peaceful protests with violence, chaos, looting, and destruction should be held accountable for their actions, the attacks on law enforcement, individuals, small businesses, and communities are causing death, injury, and millions of dollars in damage, the vast majority of men and women in law enforcement work tirelessly and risk their lives to protect the people of the United States without prejudice, police departments are the cornerstone for maintaining a society of order, calls to defund the police threaten the safety and security of the people of the United States, Congress will continue to appropriate funding to local law enforcement agencies that bolster police efforts, and the Nation must come together in healing, reconciliation, and prayer to reaffirm that every life is sacred, our society must strive for equality, and that we will work to ensure a tragedy like George Floyd’s never happens again in the United States., 2020

116 H. Res. 1009 (Introduced in the House)

Bill text: Recognizing the threats to press freedom in the United States in the wake of protests following the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, by police in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020, reaffirming the centrality of a free and independent press to the health of democracy, and reaffirming freedom of the press as a priority of the United States in promoting democracy, human rights, and good governance., 2020

116 H.R. 7910 (Introduced in the House)

Bill text: To prohibit the use of the intelligence community to investigate or conduct surveillance on individuals in the United States who are involved in protest activities protected under the First Amendment, and for other purposes., 2020

Policing Strategies for the 21st Century

Congressional Hearing: Hearing to examine factors that impact culture and practices of policing, and to review strategies to increase public trust and improve public safety. Background and Context: There is increasing unrest in urban communities about policing. There have been recent protests in Ferguson, Mo., NYC, and Baltimore, Md., due to concerns about the use of force by police officers when stopping suspects. Although no charges were filed against the officers in question in two of those cases, there is widespread disagreement about the actions of police in those instances., 2020

Congressional Black Caucus

Congressional Record: Congressional Black Caucus on the police killings of African Americans and Black Lives Matter protests, 2015

Justice for Breonna Taylor

Congressional Record: Transcription of Barbara Lee’s comments on the police killing of Breonna Taylor, 2020