MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL JOINT RESOLUTION

OUR SORROW & DETERMINTATION FOR A MORE EQUAL & JUST SOCIETY

WHEREAS, communities across the nation and around the world are overwhelmed with grief and anger over yet another death at the hands of a police officer employing excessive force; and

WHEREAS, the recent deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and sadly a legion of other people of color before them are based in racism and systemic bias toward minorities, the powerless, the economically disadvantaged; and

WHEREAS, nationally the current administration has willfully and purposefully divided our nation, demonizing immigrants, embracing white nationalism, attacking critical commentary, attempting to suppress voting rights and employing a litany of other tactics to undermine democracy and equality; and

WHEREAS, we recognize that the protests and demonstrations following the death of George Floyd in cities across the world are not just about police brutality but also about voting rights, civil rights, equal pay, fair housing, equal opportunity and protection under the law; and

WHEREAS, we condemn those who have infiltrated peaceful protests to incite violence and mayhem and who clearly have other agendas; and

WHEREAS, we sincerely hope that George Floyd’s death is not in vain and instead a catalyst for a thorough examination of our society’s ills and the momentum for genuine change; and

WHEREAS, we applaud our Police Chief on revising the department’s policy on Use of Force with the “Duty to Intervene” amendment that requires any sworn officer to stop or attempt to stop another sworn officer when force is being inappropriately applied or is no longer required; and

WHEREAS, we are in pain, as is our community, and we say, “enough is enough;” and

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we the Mayor and City Council of the City of Southfield join in the call by former President Barack Obama by pledging to do everything in our power “to recognize and root out the tragic, painful, maddening effects of systemic racism” and to continue to support training for our police officers and departmental policies and practices that de-escalates situations and avoids to use of deadly force.

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution is adopted by the City Council of the City of Southfield, County of Oakland, State of Michigan on this 8th day of June, 2020.