BLACK LIVES MATTER: Protests Turn into Impactful Legislation
Co-written with Margaret Lee.
We usually write about the legal aspects of the music industry, in hopes to help Music Professionals. However, we’ve decided to write about what is personal to us & necessary to discuss. We will not stay silent about systemic racism that places Black lives in danger every second of every single day. So, we decided to show the progress and changes that have been made due to the on-going protests.
These past few weeks have been emotionally and physically draining with everything that’s been going on in the world right now.
Every. Single. Day. we hear and read about another Black life being murdered for no crime committed. Rather, they’re being murdered because of their skin color. Although police brutality and other forms of systemic racism are nothing new, cell phones and social media have just made racism more visible to the public eye. We are living in a very sad & unjust reality and we need to stop asking for justice: WE MUST DEMAND IT! It starts with protesting, but it absolutely cannot stop there. We need to continue to fight for reform on all levels in order to dismantle systemic racism: education reform, economic reform, legislative reform are only a few to be named.
We wrote this to show you how using our voices and putting them into action have incited change in legislation and policies. Just a few weeks ago, we didn’t even think that this was possible. However, we’re here now. And, we can’t stop here. We wrote this to remind you of all the changes that have been made and are being made.We’re also here to remind you of all the changes that CAN and WILL be made if we keep fighting towards equality. Don’t let anyone silence you. Speak up for what is right.
Here are a few examples of how we have made an impact so far:
- Minneapolis’ city council passed a resolution on Friday, June 12, 2020, to replace its police department with a community-centric model. This is in efforts to defund the police.
- On June 5, 2020, New York Governor Cuomo announced the “Say Their Name” Reform Agenda, which will help reduce inequality in policing and reimagine New York’s criminal justice system. It includes the following provisions:
“Allow for transparency of prior disciplinary records of law enforcement officers by reforming 50-a of the civil rights law; Banning chokeholds by law enforcement officers; Prohibiting false race-based 911 reports and making them a crime; and Designating the Attorney General as an independent prosecutor for matters relating to the deaths of unarmed civilians caused by law enforcement.”
*Specifically, the Eric Garner Anti-Chokehold Act was passed. The use of chokeholds by the NYPD was already prohibited. However, this bill criminalizes the use of chokeholds that result in injury or death. Rest in Power to Eric Garner, whose life was taken away in New York as he was screaming “I can’t breathe.” The same occurred with George Floyd, as he was screaming “I can’t breathe.” Rest in Power.
For more information visit The Governor’s Website: Click Here.
3. On June 17, 2020, New York’s Governor Cuomo signed an Executive Order recognizing Juneteenth as a holiday for State employees. Next year, he tweeted that he will advance legislation to make Juneteenth an official state holiday.
To read the Executive Order: Click Here.
4. On June 11, 2020, Louisville, Kentucky passed Breonna’s Law, which bans no-knock warrants and also requires police to wear body cameras when serving warrants. Although this is a small step in the right direction, Breonna’s killers are still free.
While we still wait on indictments, many of the police officers are now being held accountable and charged with murder. However, before, there was more of a hesitation and, at times, no charge at all. Additionally, many of the police who used excessive force during the protests are also being held accountable.
While there has been change, we are not even close to the change that is necessary. There is a lot more work to do. Don’t stop fighting for equality. Use your voices and keep pushing towards action, which leads to tangible changes. It’s working.
BLACK LIVES MATTER! LOUDER!
*The information provided in this article does not, and is not intended to, constitute as legal advice.*
