Guidance on National Protests – Message from our National Office - NAACP

May 30, 2020 In Advocacy, Civic Engagement, Federal Advocacy By webmaster

Guidance on National Protests – Message from our National Office

If the indefensible murder of George Floyd was not already enough, last night we watched in horror as our people were shot at, tear gassed and beaten.

This moment calls for us to unite around the outrage we feel and fight for the justice we demand.

Now is the time to stand up and speak out as we guide our communities and our nation to the right side of justice.

GUIDANCE

National Message Guidance

Minneapolis Branch Incident Details

STATEMENTS

NAACP Delivers Scathing Message in Response to Recent Trump Tweets

Statement on Minneapolis Protest

Statement on Murder of George Floyd

ACTIONS

Use this moment to ensure that your Unit is positioned to respond to any issues that may arise in your community.

Units Should:

Identify if their local municipalities have standing Citizen’s Review Boards – (These should be “Review” boards not “Advisory” boards), with subpoena power. If not, units should identify what accountability structures their municipalities have in place.
Review of their Police Department’s Use of Force Continuum ensuring that they have at least 6 levels of steps, with clear rules on escalation.
Demand that Police Departments ban the use of Knee Holds as acceptable in Use of Force Continuums.
Review of their State’s Open Records Acts to determine if Officer misconduct information and disciplinary histories are shielded from the public.
Review of their Police Department’s record of disciplining or charging Officers charged with Misconduct.
Demand a Statewide review board for Police officers who use deadly force – tied to recertification credentials.
Determine when their District Attorney will be up for election.

The systemic racism and prejudice ingrained in the fabric of this nation for decades and is currently being refueled and reinvigorated by President Trump.This is not new. We have seen this before, and we have persevered. Let’s work together to channel our frustration to create the change we seek.

In Solidarity,
Derrick Johnson
@DerrickNAACP
President and CEO
NAACP