Welcome to the weekly update from the Campaign to End Qualified Immunity! Here, we give you a wrap-up of the latest developments and notable news as we continue our state-focused fight to abolish the unjust rule.
This week, Tony Timpa’s family gets their day in court; Illinois abolishes cash bail; federal lawmakers reintroduce a bill to end police brutality; and more!
FEATURED STORY
WFAA: 7 Years Later, Tony Timpa’s Family Will Get Their Day in a Dallas Court
“The City of Dallas had argued for qualified immunity for the officer involved in the Timpa case….But the courts ruled in favor of Timpa’s family, saying the officers had violated his constitutional rights, meaning they can be sued in his death.”
Read more here.
NEW YORK
In a historic civil rights settlement, New York City has agreed to pay $13 million to nearly 1,400 people who were attacked by police three years ago while protesting George Floyd’s murder.
Read more here.
A new NYPD policy will allow officers accused of misconduct to review all footage—including surveillance tape and bystander video—pertaining to the accusation before facing the oversight agency. Public safety experts believe this could make it easier for cops to lie about their wrongdoing.
Read more here.
MARYLAND
“If you had been policing that community the way that you should…this would not have happened.” Baltimore residents are condemning the city’s police department for their inept response to a July 2 shooting that left two people dead and 28 wounded.
Read more here.
ILLINOIS
On Tuesday, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled 5-2 to abolish cash bail, making it the first state to fully do so. “It is our responsibility to address the historic inequities in our justice system,” said Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, celebrating the ruling. “Everyone deserves a fair shot at justice, regardless of their zip code, paycheck, or the color of their skin.”
Read more here.
ADDITIONAL NEWS
The Grio: Bush, Pressley Push Bill to End Police Brutality Against Black Americans in Mental Health Crisis
“If the [People’s Response Act] were enacted into law, [Cori] Bush believes it would reduce the number of police brutality cases against Black and brown Americans suffering from a mental health crisis. There are numerous public incidents related to mental health that have resulted in death or violence following encounters with police.”
Read more here.
The Hill: Black Lives Matter Marks 10th Anniversary with New Calls for Justice
“The reason why we say Black lives matter is not because we’re saying our lives are more valuable than other lives, but we’re saying we live in a country, in a world, where our lives do not matter and the system continues to show us that every single day by allowing cops to get away with wrongful murders and wrongful death and by allowing the systems of oppression to continue.”
Read more here.
San Diego Union-Tribune: Qualified immunity Must End to Hold Police Accountable and Restore Public Trust
“Trust is the cornerstone of effective policing. Departments that are well-regarded by their communities attract dedicated and honest officers, and citizens step up to help them solve and prevent crime. It is time that we end qualified immunity for the good and trust of the people we serve. Every Californian should have the right to pursue and obtain safety under the law.”
Read more here.
The Los Angeles Times: He Was Making a Documentary About Police Brutality. Then the LAPD Tased Him in His Home
“Damien Smith was making a documentary about police brutality. But when a burglar broke into his Hollywood apartment, he didn’t hesitate to call the cops….But Smith says when police arrived at his home late at night, officers tased him—not the burglar….‘I’m still in shock and awe of how this transpired,’ Smith said.”
Read more here.
The New York Times: Where the Sheriff Is King, These Women Say He Coerced Them Into Sex
CW: sexual assault
“But an investigation by The New York Times and the Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting at Mississippi Today, which included dozens of interviews and a review of court records and exclusively obtained internal documents, found that during his 11 years in office, Sheriff [Eddie] Scott has repeatedly been accused of using the power of his position to harass women, coerce them into sex and retaliate against those who criticize him or allege abuse.”
Read more here.
Reuters: St. Paul Policy Limiting ‘Broken Taillight’ Stops Is Reducing Racial Disparity in Policing
In the year following the changes, the new directives produced an 86% reduction in non-public-safety traffic stops in the participating jurisdictions, and reduced searches by 92%….Black drivers who historically bore the brunt of these disparities experienced the largest decrease in non-safety stops per capita: down 66% after the new directives.
Read more here.
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