Adams Op-Ed: "Black lives can’t afford to wait until the next election"
"Black people are still being lynched in broad daylight,” said Congresswoman Adams
CHARLOTTE – Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12), writing in an op-ed exclusive to theCharlotte Observer and McClatchy, called for immediate, substantial reforms to police departments across the country:
"let's imagine a community that doesn't trade black lives for the illusion of security. Ignore the voice of white supremacy and dream of the 'Beloved community.' Envision what government looks like when its guiding principle is to create a community that best approaches justice," wrote Adams.
"Congress must act immediately on creating a national database of officer citations and decertifications and demilitarizing police. Local and state governments must prioritize establishing a duty for officers to intervene when they witness an excessive use of force and giving the public a larger voice in the oversight of law enforcement agencies."
"Finally, Charlotte leaders shouldn't hesitate: they should ban the use of chemical agents by CMPD immediately," concluded Adams.
Adams' op-ed will run this week in the Charlotte Observer, the Raleigh News-Observer, and the Durham Herald-Sun.
After the op-ed ran in the Observer, Chief Kerr Putney of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department announced that CMPD was adopting a "duty to intervene" policy.
Congresswoman Alma Adams represents North Carolina's 12th Congressional District (Charlotte) and serves as Vice Chair of the House Committee on Agriculture. Additionally, she serves on the House Financial Services Committee and the House Education & Labor Committee, where she serves as Chair of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee.