FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACTS:

CJ Frogozo, cj@fitzgibbonmedia.com, 310 570 2622

Madison Donzis, madison@fitzgibbonmedia.com, 210 488 6220

Washington, DC — “ColorofChange applauds the DOJ for the creation of The National Center for Building Community Trust and Justice. It is a positive step in the right direction to address the nationwide crisis of discriminatory and violent policing practices. The Center is an important show of commitment to enforce a much-needed, higher standard of policing. For it to be successful, however, it will take significant community engagement and involvement.

“Every day, discriminatory policing tactics target Black youth and adults on the basis of dehumanizing stereotypes, leading to unjust stops, searches, and tragic death. Law enforcement cannot be allowed to kill with impunity. The Department of Justice and the White House must continue to show leadership and implement financial incentives and systemic reforms to demilitarize the police and end racial profiling.

For more information see here: http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-announces-national-effort-build-trust-between-law-enforcement-and

“It’s critical that law enforcement is properly trained and held accountable for fair and just policing that respects the dignity and lives of Black and Brown people. As grantees examine and make recommendations to enhance police procedure under this latest initiative, city leaders must also take immediate steps to strengthen police accountability mechanisms, increase civilian oversight, and end failed policing tactics such as Broken Windows policing — or we’ll continue to see more tragic police killings like that of Mike Brown, John Crawford, and Eric Garner.”

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With more than 900,000 members,ColorOfChange.org is the nation’s largest online civil rights organization.