ACLU-DC Requests DC Police Respect Organizers' Wishes at July 11 Public Safety Afternoon Hearing
Community Members May be Reluctant to Share Experiences with Police Officers Present
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: media@acludc.org
The D.C. Council Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety will be holding public oversight roundtables to hear from community members on policing and public safety concerns in Wards 7 and 8 this Thursday, July 12. The morning hearing will be held at 9:30am at the John A. Wilson Building located at 1350 Pennsylvania Ave., NW. The evening hearing will take place at 5pm at the Deanwood Recreation Center at 1350 49th St., N.E.
"We are pleased the D.C. Council is holding public hearings on concerns to public safety in Wards 7 and 8, and we are glad that glad Chief of Police Peter Newsham appears to be planning to attend the morning session," said Monica Hopkins, Executive Director of the ACLU of the District of Columbia. "It’s also important for community members to have an opportunity to share their concerns without feeling pressure from law enforcement. As some community members may be more reluctant to share their experiences with police officers in the room, we ask the Metropolitan Police Department respect organizers' request and keep a minimal, if any, presence at the Thursday afternoon hearing. Given recent incidents involving the police in Wards 7 and 8, it is critical community members feel safe to share their experiences with the D.C. Council at Thursday’s hearing.”
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