Philadelphia City Council 2023 Stated Meetings of Philadelphia City Council, 2 Feb 2023

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From YouTube: Councilmember Vaughn on Tyre Nichols and Police Reform 2-2-2023

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From the Stated Meeting of Philadelphia City Council held February 3, 2023:

Councilmember Sharon Vaughn (At Large) makes a floor speech on Tyre Nichols and the need for police accountability.

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Thank you, Mr President I wanted to take a few moments to speak on the recent headlines that have refueled National dialogue about police reform and Corruption within law enforcement, as I'm sure many of us were I was sickened and horrified by the footage released last week of Tyree Nichols arrest and Savage treatment at the hands of the members of the Memphis Police Department.

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My immediate thoughts were what, if it was my son, what about my inability to protect him if God forbid, something like this were to happen to him in DC, especially with him being so far away from anyone else in his family and or Village.

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My subsequent thoughts were of the heartache that too many black mothers have been forced to endure because of cowards and monsters. Who hide behind badges, as well as an oath, to serve and protect our communities.

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This is what creates the mistrust that runs so deep within the black and brown communities and is what leads me to the recent news of the Philadelphia Police Department's 22nd District Captain nasid Akil who's accused of paying himself with an anti-violence Grant meant for a youth boxing program called guns down, gloves up. Then he started.

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He like the former Memphis police officer, betrayed our trust of their communities, maybe not the same way, but it's betrayal nonetheless, and Captain Akil should be terminated for his actions.

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Behavior like this must have consequences.

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Behavior like this is exactly why so many people, particularly our youth struggle to have faith in those who claim to stand for justice and reform Behavior like this is what overshadows the good honest Deeds of the law enforcement officers, who really do care and have the best interests of all our citizens at heart.

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This body has done some outstanding work around police reform.

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Consider the fact that the traffic stop that led to tyree's death might not have happened in the first place if he were driving here in Philadelphia thanks to councilman Thomas Thomas is driving equality bills and, though, and through council member Jones's hard work, the establishment of our brand new citizens police oversight Commission gives us hope that we can build a just system built on Community Trust, and we can't build that trust unless we can hold police accountable when, when people in their custody are injured and killed, we must and will always demand better for those who we rely on to protect us.

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Thank you, council president.

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Sorry, thank you. Councilwoman.