More than 1,400 current and former professional athletes, coaches, and team personnel have signed a letter to Congress asking that they end qualified immunity.
Among those to sign the letter are Detroit Lions GM Bob Quinn and team president, Rod Wood.
From Detroit Free Press:
The bill, introduced last week by U.S. representatives Justin Amash, L-Michigan, and Ayanna Pressley, D-Massachusetts, would make it easier for citizens to sue police officers who violate their civil rights.
The legislation was a response to the death of George Floyd last month, when a Minneapolis police officer was caught on video kneeling on his neck.
“We are more than 1,400 current and former professional athletes and coaches from across the National Football League, National Basketball Association, and Majoe League Baseball in America,” the letter says. “We are tired of conversations around police accountability that go nowhere, and we have engaged in too many “listening sessions” where we discuss whether there is a problem of police violence in this country. There is a problem. The world witnessed it when Officer Chauvin murdered George Floyd, and the world is watching it now, as officers deploy enormous force on peaceful protesters like those who were standing outside of the White House last week. The time for debate about the unchecked authority of the police is over; it is now time for change.”
Today, on behalf of 1100+ athletes & coaches and 300+ front office personnel across the @NFL @NBA & @MLB, we urge Congress to pass the Ending Qualified Immunity Act, introduced by @justinamash & @AyannaPressley
We demand accountability for police brutality. It's time for change. pic.twitter.com/ro7eRmvSK6
— PlayersCoalition (@playercoalition) June 10, 2020
