Fiscal Note
No appropriation required.
Title
Denouncing the murders of African Americans across the United States of America without consequence.
Body
WHEREAS Madison’s Common Council passed a resolution last year recognizing the presence, struggles and resilience of African Americans over 400 years since lading on the shores of Virginia as slaves; and,
WHEREAS, on October 15, 2019, Madison’s Common Council passed a resolution declaring racism as a public health crisis; and,
WHEREAS, on June 17, 2009 the Common Council passed a resolution condemning hate motivated violence; and,
WHEREAS, Madison has experienced its share of police involved violence against unarmed African American men; and,
WHEREAS, we have witnessed the murders of unarmed African American men and women at the hands of law enforcement and forever law enforcement from Sandra Bland to Breonna Taylor to Mike Brown, Eric Garner, Freddie Gray, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony Robinson to now George Floyd; and,
WHEREAS, the Madison Common Council grieves and empathizes with the hurt of the African American community in Madison and across the United States; and,
WHEREAS, the Trump administration has systematically weakened the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, responsible for rooting out racial prejudices in law enforcement and criminal justice practices; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Madison Common Council continues to take steps to ensure that policies and procedures of the Madison Police Department do not result in similar outcomes of murders of unarmed Black persons,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Madison Common Council denounces the actions of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in the murder of George Floyd on May 26, 2020; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Common Council acknowledge that not all police officers are racists, however, Derek Chauvin’s actions were deplorable, horrific, and infuriating. We also deplore the actions of the officers who stood by and did nothing and expect them to be held accountable as well, with charges; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we ask and expect of all police departments including the Madison Police Department, to hold themselves accountable. The community depends on police departments from the top to bottom to act in such a way that if they see another officer doing something that is unsafe, out of standard operating procedures, unacceptable, illegal, or if someone’s life is in danger as a result of their actions, to step in and stop it; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we ask all legislators on local, state and federal levels of government to work and enact nationwide police and criminal justice reforms,
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the City of Madison Common Council challenges all residents of Madison, Wisconsin and Nationwide to amplify their voices in upcoming elections to elevate those who will work towards the cause of eradicating the dual justice systems in America and implement reforms institutionally.