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Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) hosted a conversation called “What Can Communities Do to Improve Police Accountability?” with Marc H. Morial, President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Urban League. 

Congresswoman Escobar and Mr. Morial discussed how local governments can strengthen police accountability and community oversight.

“People across El Paso and the country are marching for change and demanding meaningful reform to policing.  I’m proud of the work we’ve done in the House of Representatives to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, but it will take a whole of government approach to rise up to meet this moment,” said Congresswoman Escobar. “I am extremely grateful to Marc Morial for joining this critical conversation and sharing with El Pasoans his experience on how communities can – and must – create transparency, accountability and oversight at the local level.”

“We are at a critical point in our history where we have the opportunity to effect a transformational change in the culture of policing,” said Mr. Morial. “It’s vital – but by no means enough – to enforce a no-nonsense disciplinary system and terminate officers who violate the rules. But we’ve also got to reallocate resources to address systemic social problems and build relationships of trust between the police and the community. I’m proud to be working with Congresswoman Escobar to find collaborative solutions that will help build that trust.”

This conversation follows Congresswoman Escobar’s virtual town hall on police accountability and the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which took place on June 16, 2020 with guest speakers Congresswoman Karen Bass (CA-37), Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, and Pastor Michael Grady of the Prince of Peace Church. 

On June 25, 2020, Congresswoman Escobar voted for the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, a bold, comprehensive reform to hold police accountable, end racial profiling, change the culture of law enforcement, empower our communities, and build trust between law enforcement and our communities by addressing systemic racism and bias to help save lives.

The full video of the virtual conversation is available to watch here.

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