ACLU-NJ Calls for Unity on National Day to Combat Police Brutality

The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey has called for broad participation in the October 22 protests to combat police brutality. “If we, as members of a society, want to live together in safety and harmony, people of all races and economic backgrounds must stand together on October 22 to show the police and government authorities that we will not tolerate government abuse of individuals.” said Deborah Jacobs, Executive Director of the ACLU-NJ.
New Jersey law enforcement officials, at state and local levels, have been under attack over the last year due a number of horrific assaults on citizens by police. “For every attack by the police that is well-publicized, there are a dozen more that no one knows about. People fear coming forward.” said Jacobs.
Police abuse continues to be a major civil liberties problem across the United States, particularly in poor communities and communities of color. ACLU affiliates receive hundreds of civilian complaints of police misconduct every year, ranging from verbal abuse to excessive use of force.
But that does not mean there has been no progress. In communities across the country, people have organized to bring about change. The ACLU of New Jersey contends, however, that more support is needed from the community-at-large to apply pressure to the government. For example, Jacobs cites the failure of the State to meet a number of self-assigned deadlines for steps to reform. “How can we allow the state to promise reform, set its own deadlines, and then fail to deliver? In a democracy, the people must have control over those they empower to employ deadly force. Every citizen is entitled to effective, and humane, law enforcement.”
The ACLU-NJ urges citizens to demand the elements of its 10 Point Plan for effective and humane law enforcement practices.


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