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Delegate Joshua Cole announces legislation to address police brutality in upcoming session

Delegate Joshua Cole announces legislation to address police brutality in upcoming session

FREDERICKSBURG, Virginia— Delegate Joshua G. Cole (D-28), today, released a statement outlining his legislative priorities regarding police brutality and accountability:

“My constituents have been tear-gassed, arrested, beaten, and denied their 1st Amendment rights. I’ve heard the voices across the district, the commonwealth, and the nation crying out for justice. As a servant to my people, I will take bold action.

“Our office has already begun its long task of reviewing the Code and preparing legislation. I will personally introduce and sponsor legislation that:

• Mandates local independent, civilian review boards with subpoena powers

• Demilitarizes and prohibits weapons of war for law enforcement departments

• Review of school resource officers (SROs) and their authority within school buildings

• Implements a statewide “Marcus Alert”

• Automatically expunges records for all cases acquitted, dismissed, nolle prosequi as well as dropping all non-violent charges related to Executive Orders 64 and 65

“The path ahead will be difficult, but it is necessary. We must look beyond our present scope and build a state that moves beyond peace through oppression and to peace through mutual aid and justice.

“Virginia’s elected officials must admit we must truly deliver change to our people. To my fellow representatives: the way we protest is not promises and compromises, the way we protest is through legislation.”

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Access PDF version of the press release for this article here.