NEW YORK | New York State passed a series of laws on Friday aimed at ending police violence against the black minority, illustrating the impact of protests that have rocked the United States since the death of George Floyd.
• Read also: Trump defends police, remains elusive about racial tensions
• Read also: Is the United States at a Crossroads in the Fight Against Racism?
Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo formally signed 10 texts voted this week by the two houses of Parliament in New York State, during a press conference.
–
–
These measures include a law banning strangulation by law enforcement, named in honor of Eric Garner, a black man suffocated by New York police in 2014, and the cancellation of a clause that protected police officers accused of “burrs”.
This “50-a” clause stipulated that any document relating to the professional assessment of police officers, including the disciplinary measures to which they had been subjected, were “confidential” and could only be disclosed on the order of a judge.
Now the public (including journalists) will be able to access it, using US freedom of information laws.
After George Floyd’s death, Minneapolis Police revealed that Constable Derek Chauvin, who suffocated him by pressing his knee to his neck on May 25, had been the subject of 18 abuse complaints in nearly 20 years. Details of these complaints have not been disclosed.
Governor Cuomo also announced on Friday an upcoming decree requiring the 500 or so police departments in the towns and counties of this state of 20 million people to adopt “a reform plan”, drawn up in consultation with the populations they serve.
These plans should answer questions at the heart of current protests against racial inequalities, such as the excessive use of force, discrimination or the transparent handling of complaints from the public.
Communities that have not adopted a plan by April 1, 2021 will lose all funding provided by New York State, he said, with black Democratic leaders of the New York Parliament and Reverend Al at his side. Sharpton, an iconic figure in the fight against racial inequalities.
–
–
All of these measures “reflect a substantial change,” said Mr. Sharpton.
“Saying that everyone has to have a plan in this area or risk losing the state’s money is a model for how to deal with 21st century civil rights in this country,” he said, by encouraging other American governors to follow New York’s example.
–
