March2Justice Concludes in DC

March2Justice Concludes in DC

(Photos Courtesy of New York Amsterdam News)

By Cyril Josh Barker

From the New York Amsterdam News

      March2Justice arrived at the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. recently. Members of Justice League NYC stood alongside Rep. John Conyers as he reintroduced the End Racial Profiling Act.

The act will enforce the constitutional rights to equal protection under the law by changing the policies and procedures underlying the practice of profiling.

Carmen Perez, director of March2Justice and co-founder of Justice League NYC, said, “We were moved to tears as three people lost their lives to police violence during March2Justice. The End Racial Profiling Act will address the underlying problem of racial bias and the disproportionate impact it has that traumatizes communities of color.”

March2Justice departed Staten Island, N.Y., Monday, April 13, and approximately 100 people traveled 250 miles on foot through five states to arrive at our nation’s capital Tuesday, April 21.

Led by Justice League NYC, the march brought attention to the ongoing national crisis of police brutality, calling on Congress to pass legislation to end racial profiling, stop militarization of law enforcement and invest in our youth and communities.

Wednesday, marchers brought their message directly to members of Congress and to support Conyers’ efforts to pass the ERPA. Marchers and supporters were joined by the family of Rekia Boyd, who was killed in 2012 in Chicago. Police officer Dante Servin was found not guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the killing of the 22-year-old.

Servin fired five shots over his shoulder, killing Boyd while her back was turned. Boyd was unarmed and walking with three friends.

Freddie Gray passed away in Baltimore from an injury that severed his spine sustained while he was in police custody the day that marchers came through that city.

Reports compiled from news sources indicate more than 115 people lost their lives at the hands of police in the month of March alone.

March2Justice gained the support of numerous celebrities and activists. Artist Common tweeted his support, saying “Every town got a #MichaelBrown. Tuesday 4/21 we march and demand change. #ShutItDown #March2Justice.”

Justice League NYC was joined by actor Danny Glover, Jussie Smollet of “Empire,” several members of Congress and others for the final leg.