BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Senator Ed Markey has joined two other U.S. Senators introducing a resolution that would put an end to personal lawsuit protections for police officers.
"Qualified immunity is a judge-made doctrine that protects law enforcement officers from being sued in their personal capacity and being held personally liable for their excessive use of force or brutality," said Sen. Markey's office.
"The resolution recognizes the murder of George Floyd by officers of the Minneapolis Police Department is the result of the pervasive and systemic racism that cannot be dismantled without accountability in the courts."
During a virtual press conference on Wednesday, Sen. Markey said qualified immunity is a way for officers to avoid accountability in cases of misconduct.
"In our culture of systemic racism, qualified immunity is one of the foremost tools of oppression," said Sen. Markey. "And it affects people of color in this country disproportionately, because they are disproportionately victims of excessive force at the hands of law enforcement."
On Twitter, Sen. Markey said "police officers are murdering black and brown Americans in our streets without any accountability. We must act NOW."
Sen. Markey joined California Senator Kamala Harris and New Jersey Senator Cory Booker in introducing the resolution. Suffolk County District Attorney Rachel Rollins is also supporting the move.
WBZ NewsRadio's Kim Tunnicliffe reports:
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