the law must be enforced equally and impartially.
SAFETY & BODILY AUTONOMY
The third clause of Article VI of the constitution states that “no one is above the law.” Yet, the inclusion of strategic legislative loopholes, leniencies, and inappropriate access to weapons eventually lead to bodily harm due to conflict of interest. If the law is not enforced equally and impartially then it is understood that the democratic structure as we know it ceases to exist. Speaking out about the injustice of oppressive systems is necessary to maintain a healthy and functioning democracy. Democracy means governments must ensure that every person can protest, show up at city hall, and vote without harm or interference. Local leaders should take care to give the appropriate space and support to ensure meaningful community input in decision making processes and avoid infringing on protestors’ basic constitutional rights of free speech and assembly. States and the federal government should make use of all possible means to ensure every person can easily exercise their right to vote.
Black Bill of Rights: In the News
“The issue facing Black Americans is that the republic is no longer intact.”
A quoted sentiment published by Sacramento activist and creator of the Black Bill of Rights, Jasper James. Click the link below to view the segment.
Unconstitutional Policies
Healthcare, Gender & Justice
Policymakers make decisions that should optimize the health and rights of those who live in America. Evidence-based policies to prevent conditions that contribute to things like poor obstetric outcomes, maternal morbidity and maternal mortality in racial and ethnic minorities should be standard practices.
It is also essential that governments invest in generating ongoing national data and policy solutions to understand the impact on the health and human rights of the LGBTQ+ community, sex workers, and those who face reentry from prison.
Freedom From State Sanctioned Harm
- Policing for Profit: Contracts such as the Police Officer's Bill of Rights, police union contracts, and doctrines such as Qualified Immunity maintain a status quo resulting in increased bodily harm. The foundation of these documents is the primary cause for officers who kill unarmed black people to go free. The states that don’t have POBAR contracts have the same leniencies built in their police union contracts. A national adoption of POBAR is currently pending.
- Qualified Immunity: Is a judicially created doctrine that protects government employees or those acting with state authority from being held personally liable for constitutional violations. Militarized police who have more access to military weapons by law enforcement leads to increased use of military operations.