“As we commemorate Juneteenth, a celebration of survival in the face of racial terror and injustice from generation to generation, we also reckon with the fact that today, our challenge to freedom and justice continues,” said Pastor Les Simmons with PICO California federation Sacramento ACT. “State violence in the form of unjustified police killings continues to plague our communities, particularly communities of color. With AB 931, California will usher meaningful change to overcome this legacy of violence and prevent unnecessary deaths at the hands of law enforcement.”

Several police agencies and law enforcement organizations have recommended or already adopted stricter use of force standards similar to those proposed under AB 931. Officers at agencies with stricter use of force policies kill fewer people and are less likely to be killed or seriously injured themselves. For example, Seattle saw a reduction in the number of people killed by police without any impact on overall safety.