For Immediate Release:

Contact:

Michele Setteducato, michele@fitzgibbonmedia.com, 732-614-3818

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

Statement from Rashad Robinson, Executive Director of ColorOfChange.org:

“I am honored to testify at today’s Policy and Oversight listening session of the President’s task force, representing more than 1 million ColorOfChange.org members and our allies who are strongly urging President Obama and the federal government to implement far-reaching, structural changes to policing nationwide.

“This task force is an important step in the right direction, but like many of the White House and Department of Justice police reform initiatives in the past few months, it is exactly that – a step. We need far more definitive action to address the crisis of police misconduct. The task force’s true impact depends on the real-world policy shifts it brings about.

“The problems before us are not new, but due to the ongoing hard work of courageous Black folks across the country, who have responded to the tragic police killings of Mike Brown, Eric Garner and countless others with resistance and mobilization, we stand before an incredible opportunity to transform what it means to be Black in America; To end the daily terror, injustice and indignity of police abuse, unjust arrest or death at the hands of law enforcement.

“It is critical that President Obama use his executive power to enforce, expand and strengthen federal bans on discriminatory policing and police accountability mechanisms. From mandating use of force matrices nationwide to ending federal anti-drug grants, there is much the federal government can and must do.

“Millions across the country, many of who have experienced racial profiling and police brutality first hand, are urging President Obama and Attorney General Holder, to use their remaining time in office to implement concrete reforms to policing amidst this tremendous national challenge. Our lives on the line and we cannot afford to wait any longer for the type of tangible policy shifts that will keep our communities safe now and in the long term.”

To read full testimony click here: http://goo.gl/zul9Hx

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