Today, Rep. Lois Frankel (FL-21) held a roundtable with young local protesters and activists on racial injustice and the passage of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. This follows the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and many others that have left people across America angry and in anguish.

Last night, Rep. Frankel joined her colleagues in voting to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, Congressional Democrats’ new police reform proposal. The bill responds to the voices of millions of people across the country calling for change, like the young people who participated in today’s roundtable. This groundbreaking legislation would ensure police are held accountable in the justice system, improve transparency in policing through the collection of better and more accurate data on police misconduct, and improve police training. 

During the roundtable, Rep. Frankel announced she was joined by Reps. Ted Deutch (FL-22) and Alcee Hastings (FL-20) in sending letters to the Palm Beach County Board of Commissioners and local mayors urging them to take immediate action on police reform.

The letter states in part, “Yesterday, the House passed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act: bold, unprecedented reforms to curb police brutality, end racial profiling and eliminate qualified immunity for law enforcement. This legislation will transform the culture of policing to address systemic racism and help save lives as it holds police accountable and increases transparency.

“Specifically, the bill:

• Bans chokeholds;
• Stops no-knock warrants;
• Ends the qualified immunity doctrine that is a barrier to holding police officers accountable for wrongful conduct;
• Combats racial profiling;
• Mandates data collection, including body cameras and dashboard cameras; and
• Establishes new standards for policing.

“With that said, while we respectfully suggest that this bill offers a blueprint for change, we are urging state and local officials not to wait for passage of this legislation before taking needed action on the local level. In that regard, we strongly recommend that you take the necessary steps to review and change the policy and procedures of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s office and local police departments where appropriate.”

For full text of the letters, click here.

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