Press Release

Washington, DC — The following is a statement from American Association for Justice President Bruce Stern following today’s hearing held by the House Judiciary Committee on “Policing Practices and Law Enforcement Accountability,” which included testimony from George Floyd family attorney and AAJ member Mr. Ben Crump:

“Millions of voices around the world are demanding action to end police violence and systemic racism against Black people. We commend the House Judiciary Committee for raising up voices like Philonise Floyd’s, and we call on others in Congress to follow the Committee’s lead.

“The time for federal action is now. Congress must pass legislation to increase transparency, justice, and public accountability for all those whose civil rights continue to be systemically violated by police violence and brutality.

“There are concrete and decisive steps Congress should take right now: end the qualified immunity doctrine that shields law enforcement officers from lawsuits when they violate constitutional rights, change the law to ensure accountability for employers of officers, enhance the collection and retention of body camera video and policing practices, and create a national police misconduct registry to prevent racist or abusive officers who have been fired from being hired in another town.

“These critical issues are long overdue for reform and trial lawyers like Ben Crump are helping push for change by joining together with the families they represent to educate Congress and ensure that action is taken. It’s time to stop these killings and end systemic racism in law enforcement and across society.”

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The American Association for Justice works to preserve the constitutional right to trial by jury and to make sure people have a fair chance to receive justice through the legal system when they are injured by the negligence or misconduct of others—even when it means taking on the most powerful corporations.