On August 4, Amnesty International, an independent watchdog, called for police reform in the United States after it released a statement that identified 125 reports of human rights violations during Black Lives Matter protests earlier this summer.
In its report, Amnesty documented abuse of power and brutality committed by local, state, and federal police officers between May 26 and June 5. Following the organization’s analysis of police responses to nonviolent demonstrations in the wake of George Floyd’s death, Amnesty concluded that by using intimidation tactics and violence, police violated the rights of protesters, legal observers, and journalists to peacefully assemble.
The report highlighted specific instances of brutality and intimidation by law enforcement. Among them was a report of a woman who was struck in the chest by a flash grenade. In Washington, DC, a news reporter was beaten with a baton and a cameraman was struck with a shield.
Excessive force and the unnecessary use of lethal projectiles and chemical irritants, such as tear gas and pepper spray, were also cited.
“At first it feels like the feeling when you’re chopping onions and then escalates to the point where your skin is burning,” 17-year-old Elena Thoman, a protestor who was tear gassed in Denver, told Amnesty. “I had a lot of open skin and it was burning for an hour. It made me cough a lot — I had to take my mask off because the mask had tear gas in it…so even though there is COVID, I had to take my mask off.”
Another dynamic charge. Portland Police made a targeted arrest on this motorist stopped here. Tire spikes were used. Riot officers withdrew back within the North Precinct parking lot. #PortlandProtest #PDXprotests #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/9KH33guZEO
— Portland Independent Documentarians (@PDocumentarians) August 11, 2020
To accompany the report, Amnesty released an interactive map of the U.S. with over 500 pictures and videos, identifying specific incidents of police violence since May 26.
“Real, systemic and lasting police reform is needed at all levels to ensure that people across the country feel safe to walk the streets and express their opinions freely and peacefully without facing a real threat of harm from the very officers that are supposed to protect them,” American researcher and adviser Brian Griffey said.
Amnesty International’s suggestions for reform include:
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An end to the brutal force and murders of Black people by police and accountability for those were killed.
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An end to “qualified immunity,” which protects police from being held legally accountable after breaking the law.
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Ensured right to peacefully assemble and protest without the threat of police violence.
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And passed federal legislation, which would demilitarize police and restrict force to when appropriate.