Democrats in Congress are pushing President Joe Biden to address police brutality during his State of the Union by inviting the parents of two black men killed by police officers as special guests Tuesday night.
Rowan and Rodney Wells, mother and stepfather tyre nicholswas invited by Congressman Steven Horsford Congressional Black Caucus.
“They’ll be there that day to hear from the President and to hear from the members Congress “How do we finally take action to keep our communities safe,” Horsford said.
and Congresswoman Cory Bush has invited the father of Michael BrownA black teen who was fatally shot by police in Ferguson, Missouri, and whose death helped spark the Black Lives Matter movement.
Civil rights leaders say having those family members in the audience Tuesday will help humanize the issue of police brutality.
“It touches people in a way that they can see themselves or see the humanity in issues like police violence and how families are survivors,” said Melanie Campbell, President and CEO National Coalition on Black Civic Participation.
The president’s speech came as some lawmakers and civil rights leaders are calling for more action to combat police brutality, with some urging the president to reiterate his push for police reform in his remarks. .
Sen. Raphael Warnock said, “I think I speak for a lot of Americans when I say that we are sick of humans being turned into a hashtag.”
Members of the Congressional Black Caucus met with the president and vice president for about two hours at the White House a week before the address, in which the leaders said they agreed to move forward through legislative and executive action.
“Public safety for all communities, because we understand it’s about a culture of policing and keeping all communities safe, and we can all agree that bad policing has no place in any American city or community.” No space,” Horsford said.
But with Republicans in control of the House of Representatives, the prospects for congressional reform look dim.
Speaking at the Democratic National Committee’s winter reception last week, President Joe Biden touted his executive order on policing and again forced Congress to pass it. George Floyd Justice in Police Act.
“I just signed the strongest executive order ever to reform federal police practices. I’ve done my job. How many more? And does his job?” Biden said.
Campbell says she’s hoping the president will call on Congress to act and take a comprehensive approach to police reform.
Campbell said, “There are three levels of government that can influence police accountability and the handling of public safety across the board to address this issue. It won’t fix everything, but it moves the ball forward.”
