Resources
We will add to this page as events unflod. For starters, we are using the same source as the U.S. Deptartment of Justice has begun using, the Guardians, The Counted.
The FBI voluntary reports were not complete of accurate, so much so that they consistantly undercount by more than 50%.
The Counted counts every PERSON who is either shot dead by police, or killed in some way while in their custody.
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While we are specifically trying to stop police violence against people of color, it would not be unreasonable to send a letter EVERY TIME a cop kills a citizen, no matter the color. Not only because a person killed by a cop is a human life lost to state sponsored violence without due process (Yes, maybe someday we can get into whether the state should sponsor violence with due process, but that is another matter. We are first and foremost concerned with incidents where a law enforcement person becomes the police, the judge and the executioner without benefit of a trial.
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How to find your elected officials:
Here are links to finding your US congressperson (http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/) and US Senators (http://www.senate.gov/senators/contact/), to contact your Mayor (http://www.usmayors.org/meetmayors/mayorsatglance.asp), or better yet, google your hometown, and go to the offical city page, you will probaably be able to find your Mayor, your city council person, and possibly your chief of police. Then google your county as well, find your county commissioner and your Sheriff. Then look for your state level officials. Most states have resources similar to the federal one for the respresentatives and senators and every states should have a governors office email. your can also look for your State Attorney General.
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The White House, is one of the places it is hard to send an email, but they have a contact form (https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact). The FBI doesnt have a central email office, but you can call or mail, or try to locate your local office. (https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/fbi-headquarters)
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The Department of Justice has the contact form (https://www.justice.gov/doj/webform/your-message-department-justice)
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The last people to contact is the media. Send a copy of the letters to your local newspaper and your local TV stations. These you will have to look up, but they shouldnt be too hard to reach.
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Here is a variation of the letters I recently sent out, along with those it was sent to, for you to use, borrow from or ignore:
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Dear Mr. Deutch, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Nelson, Gov. Scott, Mr. Clemens, Mr. Kerner, President Obama, Ms. Lynch, Commissioner Burdick, Mr. Bradshaw, Mr. Ferreri, Ms. Dugo,
Cc: Palm Beach Post, WPTV, WPEC, WPBF, WPBT, WLRN
I am a white voter in your district. I tell you my race, because it is important for you to understand that as a white person, I stand against all violence against people of color, but especially I am outraged at the violence of Cops killing Blacks.
As you may know, there have been 26 Americans killed by cps in the first 10 days of July. 6 of these have been Black Americans, for the year, so far, at least 571 Americans have been killed by cops, of which at least 138 of these people murdered by law enforcement are Black. I find the total number, and the rate disparity between Whites and Blacks to be completely unacceptable.
There has been a long history of violence and oppression against people of color in America. It is time for it to stop. It is time for it to stop TODAY!
Until ALL Americans are treated equally and given the dignity and opportunity to contribute, our nation will continue to be less that it can be. And the basic right to be safe in one’s home or safe in a public space is paramount to freedom and equality. When a Black mother or father has to lay their head down on a pillow and worry if their 12-year-old might be shot dead in the park by a policeman, or that they might be killed and be unable to provide for their family at a routine traffic stop, that is not equality. That is not justice. That is state sponsored terrorism. I will not stand for it. And I expect you to stand against it, too! I am aware that you have no authority for cops who kill outside your district, but I am writing you to let you know that I expect you to take EVERY action possible to make sure this doesn’t happen here.
While I have a long list of issues and concerns that influence my vote, until this is resolved, this is my overriding issue. As this most recent murder isn’t in our district, I understand to bring these cops to justice is a local issue. What you can do is insist our local law enforcement that you do have authority over, is trained to treat ALL humans the same, that all cops are held accountable for the murders they commit and the conspiracies they engage in to cover up the abuse and murder of any citizen, but especially people of color. I want you to know, if a citizen of color is killed in our district, I am counting on you to seek the full measure of justice for those who use their badge to commit murder and target people of color. This is my overarching issue, so please make it YOUR priority.
Thank you for your continued service,
Anthony Watkins
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So far, my response has been from one Coutny Commissioner innPalm Beach County FL.
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Hello Anthony,
Thank you for your insightful and caring E-mail. Yes, I share your concerns. This issue must be of concern to all of us. Those who are not concerned or hostile must be educated. We are all in this together and we have an obligation to one another.
Regards,
Paulette Burdick
County Commissioner
District Two