* 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: Councilmember Middleton
A Resolution Entitled
A Council Resolution concerning
title
Ending Police Brutality
For the purpose of joining our national leaders in coming together to address the issue of police brutality, rooting out and addressing its causes and calling on prosecutors and judges across the nation to stand firm against all who would use violence and ethnic intimidation to achieve their ends, whether as private citizens or as law enforcement officials.
body
Recitals
On May 25, 2020, George Floyd, an unarmed man, was brutally murdered by members of the Minneapolis Police. Since that time, our nation has seen millions of Americans of all races take to the streets to demand an end to police brutality and an end to systemic racism within our criminal justice system. The Baltimore City Council condemns this vile act of brutality and similar instances that occur all too frequently in America.
While the Council acknowledges the danger faced by Baltimore City police officers and officers everywhere on a daily basis in maintaining public safety, we also recognize that excessive, sometimes fatal, force is antithetical to that core mission. Democratic societies do not maintain public safety through violent and brutal acts.
Certainly, this Council stands with those protesting police brutality, especially brutality perpetrated against African-Americans. At the same time, however, while protests in Baltimore have been relatively peaceful, we strongly condemn the violence that has accompanied some initially peaceful protests in other cities.
This is a pivotal moment in the history of our nation. The grievances expressed by African-Americans and other vulnerable minority groups must no longer be dismissed, and any return to normality must also be accompanied by a renewed commitment to social justice. Specifically, now is the time for our nation’s leaders to hear the protests across America, step up, and end police brutality once and for all.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of Baltimore, That the Council joins our national leaders in coming together to address the issue of police brutality, rooting out and addressing its causes and calling on prosecutors and judges across the nation to stand firm against all who would use violence and ethnic intimidation to achieve their ends, whether as private citizens or as law enforcement officials
And be it further resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the Honorable Members of the Maryland Senate and House Delegation to the 116th United States Congress, the Honorable Attorney General Brian Frosh, the Honorable State’s Attorney for Baltimore City Marilyn Mosby, and the Mayor’s Legislative Liaison to the City Council.