Rep. Pressley: Congress must act

BOSTON — Leaders of color from every level of government began with a prayer at the 214-year-old African Meeting House before walking to the Massachusetts State House on Tuesday. They held an eight minute and 46 second moment of silence to symbolize the time former Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin had his knee on George Floyd’s neck.

More than a dozen elected leaders of color, from Boston City Council to the State House to Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, spoke during a news conference about efforts to end police brutality against African Americans.

“Today we are going to be precise and prescriptive,” Rep. Pressley said.

>>>MORE: Peaceful protesters held demonstrations across the state in honor of George Floyd as police braced for more riots, looting

Pressley described sweeping changes she felt are needed to hold police officers accountable for violence and brutality.

Her resolution, cosponsored by Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-Minnesota), calls for improved oversight and independent investigations to hold law enforcement accountable, for the Department of Justice to investigate racial profiling and police brutality, and supports the establishment of civilian review boards to probe alleged police misconduct.

'We all have George Floyd's in our communities' and need to address that violence, says Boston City Council president Kim Janey said the issue of violence against black men and women is the focus of those demonstrating should be the focus, pointing to the peaceful protest in Roxbury.

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