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As part of Milwaukee County’s ongoing work to achieve racial equity, the Black Caucus of the Board of Supervisors is developing a set of policy proposals to dismantle systemic racism, improve accountability for law enforcement, and provide necessary services to the public. The Black Caucus released the following statement today regarding their policy ideas and the protests related to the murder of George Floyd’s by Minneapolis police officers.
“The protests we are witnessing in Milwaukee and across America are a response to systemic racism and to the police violence that maintains and perpetuates that fundamental problem.
“We urge the media and the public to focus on the problem of systemic racism and to not be distracted by or sensationalize property destruction, vandalism, or looting, which are symptoms of the problem.
“As legislators, we have a responsibility to make change through policy, and that is what we plan to do in the days, weeks, and months ahead.”
The policy package supervisors are developing includes proposals to work with the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office to establish community-led training of Milwaukee County law enforcement and form a citizens review board, to invest in public health and mental health – especially for youth, to clarify under what circumstances when Sheriff’s deputies will use any kind of force when engaging with people involved in demonstrations or protests, and to improve transparency and accountability in the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office.
The Black Caucus recognizes and appreciates the work of the African American Roundtable, Black Leaders Organizing Communities, Leaders Igniting Transformation, and the LiberateMKE campaign, and is committed to working with these and other youth and community groups.
The Black Caucus includes County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson, Vice-Chair Supervisor Sequanna Taylor, Supervisor Willie Johnson, Jr., Supervisor Supreme Moore Omokunde, Supervisor Felesia Martin, and Supervisor Russell A. Goodwin, Sr.
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