* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilman Henry
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
title
Solidarity with the People of Ferguson, MO in Seeking Justice for Michael Brown
FOR the purpose of standing in solidarity with the people of Ferguson, MO in demanding justice for Michael Brown, calling for an independent review of the actions of the Ferguson police Department before and after his death, and expressing the hope that the events in Ferguson can serve as a catalyst for improving relations between communities and law enforcement personnel across the country.
body
Recitals
Just after noon on August 9, 2014, Michael Brown, a young, black, recent high school graduate, was shot six times and killed by Ferguson, MO police officer Darren Wilson. Although the exact circumstances of the shooting are disputed, what is not disputed is the fact that Michael Brown was unarmed; evidence continues to emerge that he was attempting to surrender at the time he was struck by the fatal bullets fired by Wilson.
The killing of Michael Brown is just one in a far too long list of recent fatal encounters between unarmed young black men and law enforcement personnel, and, in Ferguson, it was one too many for the citizens of the small town of about 21,000. Violent clashes between police and protesters ensued and brought us images that it was hard to believe originated from American soil.
Michael Brown's shooting, and the heavy-handed police response to the understandable outrage it caused, is not just an issue for Ferguson, or even Missouri. They are symptoms of American problems, and bring to the fore issues that all Americans should care about. And, unfortunately, they resonate all to strongly with experiences right here at home in Baltimore.
It is essential that the specific incidents in Ferguson be throughly reviewed by independent and impartial investigators so that justice can be served for Michael Brown and the citizens of Ferguson. It is also equally important that all Americans heed the wake-up call these events have provided about serious problems in community-police relations that have been growing in recent years. Now is the time to take the necessary steps to repair these relationships, before the scenario we saw in Ferguson is repeated once again with tragic consequences.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That the Council stands in solidarity with the people of Ferguson, MO in demanding justice for Michael Brown, calls for an independent review of the actions of the Ferguson police Department before and after his death, and asks that the events in Ferguson serve as a catalyst for improving relations between communities and law enforcement personnel across the country.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the Mayor and City Council of Ferguson, MO, the Police Commissioner, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
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