Condemns police brutality and excessive use of force by law enforcement officers.

SR79

SENATE RESOLUTION No. 79

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED MARCH 5, 2026

Sponsored by:

Senator� ANGELA V. MCKNIGHT

District 31 (Hudson)

SYNOPSIS

���� Condemns police brutality and excessive use of force
by law enforcement officers.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

A Senate Resolution

condemning police brutality and the excessive use of
force by law enforcement.

Whereas,

Recent events have brought attention to the tragic deaths of unarmed Black men
and women, and other people of color, due to police brutality and excessive use
of force by law enforcement; and

Whereas,

These abuses have led to community destabilization and a decrease in public
safety; and

Whereas,

Police brutality and excessive use of force disproportionately affect people of
color, particularly Black people; and

Whereas,

Police use of force is among the leading causes of death of young men of color;
and

Whereas,

Black people, Native Americans, and Latinos are killed by police at
disproportionately higher rates; and

Whereas,

People with disabilities and other historically marginalized communities,
including LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants, and those experiencing homelessness
also are significantly more likely to be victims of police violence; and

Whereas,

On March 13, 2020, Breonna Taylor, a 26 year-old Black woman, was shot to death
in her sleep by police when they raided her home; and

Whereas,

Maurice Gordon, a 28 year-old unarmed Black man, was killed in New Jersey on
May 23, 2020

after being pulled over for allegedly speeding; and

Whereas,

On May 25, 2020, George Floyd, a 46 year-old unarmed Black man, died after
being pinned down by a white police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota; his
alleged offense was using a counterfeit $20 bill; and

Whereas,

The death of George Floyd sparked ongoing protests in all 50 states and many
countries around the world; and

Whereas,

In addition to George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Maurice Gordon, many other
lives have been lost as a result of police brutality and the excessive use of force
by law enforcement; and

Whereas,

Not only have the communities of these individuals suffered, but this loss of
life has inflicted intergenerational harm and trauma to families; and

Whereas,

This House finds that the conduct of officers who engage in excessive use of
force, which can include shootings, brutal beatings, fatal chokings, and any
other excessive treatment, is a violation of the Constitutions of the United
States and the State of New Jersey; and

Whereas,

This House finds that the rule of law is undermined when police officers engage
in conduct inconsistent with the Constitution of the United States and the
State of New Jersey; and

Whereas,

This House has a moral and constitutional obligation to protect the civil
rights and liberties of all people from police abuses; now, therefore,

����
Be It Resolved
by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:

���� 1.��� This House strongly
condemns police brutality and the excessive use of force by law enforcement.

���� 2.��� Copies of this
resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the
Clerk of the General Assembly to the President and Vice President of the United
States of America, the presiding officers of the United States Senate and the
House of Representatives, each member of Congress elected from the State of New
Jersey, and the Attorney General of the State of New Jersey.

STATEMENT

���� This resolution strongly
condemns policy brutality and the excessive use of force by law enforcement
officers.�

���� Recent events have brought
attention to the tragic deaths of unarmed Black men and women, and other people
of color, due to police brutality and excessive use of force by law
enforcement.� These abuses have led to community destabilization and a decrease
in public safety.

���� On May 25, 2020, George Floyd,
a 46 year-old unarmed Black man, died after being pinned down by a white police
officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota; his alleged offense was using a counterfeit
$20 bill.� The death of George Floyd sparked ongoing protests in all 50 states
and many countries around the world.� In addition to Mr. Floyd, countless other
lives have been lost as a result of police brutality and the excessive use of force
by law enforcement.

���� Police brutality and excessive
use of force disproportionately affect people of color, particularly Black
people, and are among the leading causes of death of young men of color.�
People with disabilities and other historically marginalized communities, including
LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants, and those experiencing homelessness also are
significantly more likely to be victims of police violence.

���� Excessive use of force, which
can include shootings, brutal beatings, fatal chokings, and any other excessive
treatment, violates the constitutional rights of those affected.� These actions
must be condemned, and the constitutional rights of those who fall victim to
these abuses must be protected.