Families call for Congress to pass criminal justice reform bill

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – The families of Breonna Taylor, Tyre Nichols and Sonya Massey traveled to Washington, D.C., Friday to urge Congress to pass criminal justice reform in honor of their loved ones killed at the hands of police.

“She was assassinated,” said Donna Massey, Sonya’s mother.

Donna said her daughter was not a threat when police shot and killed her inside her home. The former officer involved in Massey’s death is fighting to appeal the denial of his pretrial release.

“She needed a helping hand, not a bullet to her face,” said attorney Ben Crump.

Breonna Taylor was also shot and killed by police inside her home. A judge recently dismissed felony charges for two former officers involved in Taylor’s death.

“Because no one videoed her, because no one did that, you all say her life don’t matter, and that’s insane,” said Tamika Palmer, Taylor’s mother.

The federal trial is ongoing for three former officers charged in the beating death of Tyre Nichols. His mother, RowVaughn Wells, blames Congress for inaction.

“Their blood is on your hands,” Wells said.

The Congressional Black Caucus calls these women the mothers of the movement, as its members try to pass federal criminal justice reform.

“To create safer communities and to hold police officers accountable,” said CBC Chair Steven Horsford, (D-Nev.).

Horsford supports the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. In part, the legislation would improve vetting to make sure bad actors are not rehired as officers and restrict the use of no-knock warrants and chokeholds.

“We will not stop fighting for you or the loss of your loved ones until the legislation is passed,” Horsford said.

Republicans largely oppose the bill over it allowing individual officers to be sued over their actions. They prefer to hold the officers’ employers responsible.

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