RELEASE: Statement on Police Violence

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 15, 2020
Contact: Sheri Shannon
(202) 322-6898
media@shannonstrategies.com


                                  Alexsis Rodgers Calls on Mayor Stoney to Act on Police Violence

RICHMOND, Va. - Richmond mayoral candidate Alexsis Rodgers released the following statement in response to incidents of police violence by the Richmond Police Department from this past weekend:
“Nearly two weeks after the mayor apologized to protesters for being tear-gassed, we are still dealing with ongoing harassment and violence from the Richmond Police Department (RPD). This weekend, police officers drove through a crowd of people, striking protesters and causing injuries. Tear gas was fired again at demonstrators.
“While activists are demanding justice for those killed by the police, the police are escalating violence. The city cannot treat this movement as an inconvenience. It must tackle the issue of police brutality. We are calling for a change in our criminal justice system, including the scope of policing in this country.
“Although I recognize Stoney’s call for a new investigation from this weekend’s events, we still have unanswered questions about RPD’s use of chemical irritants on June 1. We need the city to take immediate action.
“I am calling on the mayor, city council and police chief to collaborate and support the following actions:

• Release the names of officers involved in tear-gassing people and those involved in vehicular violence so individuals are allowed to file a civil suit if wanted; 
• Stop the use of chemical irritants and change the use of force policies for crowd control; and
• Enact a Citizen Review Board for the city’s police department to hold officers accountable for misconduct.

“Black lives are still at risk in this country because police abuse continues. We need immediate action and policies to address this crisis. More resources must be invested into services that will keep Richmond safe. Our lives depend on it.”

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