Allisa Findley, the sister of Botham Jean, said there’s a way to change a police culture that too often victimizes Black people. She said more people — regular people — have to get involved.
"You have a lot of people who walk around and they know we need change but they don’t do anything about it," Findley said. "Knowing it is different from doing something."
Jean, was killed by an officer who said the death was an accident. That officer is now serving a murder sentence. Findley joined an online panel discussion this week in Dallas to honor George Floyd, who was killed by police a year ago.
Some of the week's events are also co-sponsored by the Next Generation Action Network, led by Dominique Alexander. He shared Findley's message that success will mean people are acting, not just talking.
"The success of this week," Alexander explained, "is to get more people involved in the local government and in our fights and our ordinances, making sure that they get involved and start organizing at the city council level."
Alexander and Findley also want Congress to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, designed to hold bad police accountable and end racial profiling.
Black Voters Matter (BVM) and the Next Generation Action Network is launching a week of action to honor the life and legacy of George Floyd. All week long, BVM and local partners are hosting a series of in-person and virtual community events to honor George Floyd and victims of police brutality in an effort to demand justice and police accountability. More information is available here.
Monday, May 24th: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM: “Where Do We Go From Here” Panel Discussion & Speaker Series at South Oak Cliff High School (3601 South Marsalis Avenue, Dallas, TX 75216)
Tuesday, May 25th: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM: Solidarity March at Dallas Police Department (1400 Botham Jean Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75215)
Friday, May 28th: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Toast for the Movement at African American Museum of Dallas (3536 Grand Ave, Dallas, TX 75210)
Got a tip? Email Reporter Bill Zeeble at bzeeble@kera.org. You can follow him on Twitter @bzeeble.
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