Jeder Amerikaner hat Anspruch auf eine faire und unparteiische Strafverfolgung ohne rassistische Vorurteile, aber zu viele bekommen sie nicht. Und zu oft endet eine rassistisch voreingenommene Strafverfolgung in einer Tragödie. Der Justice in Policing Act von 2020 ist ein wichtiger Schritt zur Ausrottung des systemischen Rassismus in der Strafverfolgung, und wir loben das Repräsentantenhaus für die Verabschiedung dieses Gesetzes. Es muss noch mehr getan werden, aber wir müssen zuerst diesen ersten wichtigen Schritt unternehmen, um eine nationale Schande zu beseitigen.

Black lives matter. Black people deserve to thrive, not just survive. The same racism that permeates our voting system, sanctions police brutality. It is why we must continue to invest and build power within and between our communities to bring an end to the criminalization of minorities, an end to police brutality, and an end to white supremacy.

The people-led protests across the nation are a reflection of the pain felt by many, a response to the failure of America to reckon with its racist history, and a demand for an end to state-sanctioned violence against Black people.

Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA) and the Congressional Black Caucus deserve great credit for their leadership in passing this vitally important legislation. It is now up to the Senate to strengthen the House bill and pass meaningful police reform legislation. Local and state policy change is vital, but it is the responsibility of our federal government to set a standard for justice, policing, and safety in America. We have been through this too many times and our national leaders have dragged their feet on this for far too long. The time to act is NOW.