Minneapolis Review

MINNEAPOLIS–Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) reintroduced a resolution today to condemn police violence worldwide, in the wake of a United Nations visit to her district to focus on racial justice, law enforcement and policing. Rep. Omar attended a listening session with the United Nations on Tuesday. The resolution calls on Congress to stand with peaceful protesters around the world in their calls for justice and accountability for police brutality.

The introduction comes after continued police violence in the United States including the horrific murder of George Floyd in Rep. Omar's district in Minneapolis. Since then, the number of Black people killed by police has only increased—with over a thousand police shootings a year in 2021 and 2020. Highly militarized police forces have also been used to disproportionately harm vulnerable communities around the world including in Philippines, Colombia, Iran, Hong Kong, Egypt, Kenya and more.

“Congress needs to send a powerful signal that we understand the problem, that we are listening to the protesters and that we are addressing the issue,” Rep. Omar said. “That’s why I’m introducing a a resolution today to condemn police violence worldwide. The resolution calls on Congress to stand with peaceful protesters around the world in their calls for justice and accountability for police brutality. Whether it’s the Philippines, Colombia, Iran, Hong Kong, Kenya, or Egypt, we have seen the horrifying images of police armed with military equipment responding to peaceful protests. Our movements are inextricably linked, and the sources of the violence are often the same. Freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are among our most foundational, cherished values. We must stand up to protect them.”

In the wake of the killing of Daunte Wright and George Floyd, Rep. Omar introduced a package of bills including the Protecting Our Protesters Act, the National Police Misuse of Force Investigation Board Act, and the Global Police Brutality Resolution.  And following the murder of Amir Locke, she introduced the End Deadly No Knock Warrants Act.

Rep. Omar has co-introduced a resolution to condemn police brutality, and sponsored legislation to criminalize violence against protesters. Last week, she wrote an op-ed calling on the Biden Administration to reorient U.S. foreign policy toward justice and human rights.

Original source can be found here.