Washington D.C. - Following the announcement that no charges will be filed in the death of Jayland Walker, 25, in police custody in Akron, Ohio, People For the American Way has the following statement:
"We have said these words before and will say them again as often as it takes: Police violence is a systemic issue that demands systemic solutions. We must implement transformative change to restructure public safety departments, hold officers responsible for their actions, remove unfit officers, and recruit well-trained public safety personnel. We are calling, again, to completely rethink and rebuild public safety systems because that is the only way to end the needless pain, harm and loss of life caused by police violence."
Read our recommendations and our report, All Safe: Transforming Public Safety, here.
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About People For the American Way
People For the American Way, a national progressive advocacy organization, inspires and mobilizes community and cultural leaders to advance Truth, Justice and the American Way. We convene courageous Americans, produce compelling media and organize campaigns to defend our democracy from authoritarian threats and advance America’s promise that everyone will enjoy freedom, safety and a vote that counts. Learn more: https://www.pfaw.org