8/25/2024: Resolution Denouncing the Use of Force by Police

On Sunday, August 25th, the San Francisco Branch of the NAACP voted unanimously in favor of adopting the following resolution.

Whereas, recent data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics reveals a troubling rise in police use of force, particularly affecting marginalized communities including Black, Hispanic, and older individuals; and

Whereas, racial disparities in police interactions persist, with Black individuals being nearly 12 times more likely than white individuals to experience misconduct, and the threat or use of force disproportionately impacting these groups; and

Whereas, older adults have seen a significant increase in police encounters involving the threat or use of force, with the number nearly doubling between 2018 and 2020, highlighting a critical need for reform in how police interact with aging populations; and

Whereas, women have also experienced a concerning rise in police use of force, reflecting broader issues of gender bias within law enforcement practices; and

Whereas, recent incidents such as the violent arrest of Christiana Porter on July 29, 2024, following a jaywalking stop, underscore the urgent need for reform to address and mitigate the harmful use of force by police officers; and

Whereas, Ms. Porter, a 34-year-old African American mother of five, was subjected to excessive force by San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) officers, resulting in severe injuries including a concussion and a separated shoulder. The incident, captured on video, shows the escalation of force by Officer McFall and other officers, despite the Freedom to Walk Act (AB 2147) decriminalizing jaywalking unless it creates an immediate hazard; and

Whereas, the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) is struggling to address and explain the significant racial disparities in the use of force. Recent data shows that Black residents, making up less than 6% of the population, account for nearly half of all use-of-force incidents by the SFPD. Specifically, in the last quarter of 2022, force was used on Black people 25 times as often as on white people, and this disparity has continued to rise into 2023; and

Whereas, despite presentations to the Police Commission, SFPD officials have failed to provide satisfactory explanations for these disparities or address the exclusion of significant data from reports. The department’s explanations have been criticized as inadequate, and the persistent rise in racial disparities has been noted as a troubling trend requiring immediate action; and

Be It Resolved, that we, the San Francisco NAACP Youth Council, the San Francisco Business and Professional Women Inc., and the Harriet Tubman African-American Democratic Club of San Francisco, strongly condemn the excessive use of force by the SFPD, particularly as it disproportionately affects African American individuals and other marginalized communities; and

Be It Further Resolved, that we call for a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the racial disparities in use of force, including the recent incident involving Christiana Porter. We demand accountability for any violations of state law and the unnecessary use of force by SFPD officers; and

Be It Further Resolved, that we urge city leaders to implement and enforce stronger reforms within the SFPD, including revising training programs, enhancing oversight mechanisms, and addressing any biases that may contribute to the disproportionate use of force against communities of color; and

Be It Finally Resolved, that we advocate for continued support for legislative measures such as the Freedom to Walk Act and other reforms aimed at protecting communities from unjust police harassment and violence.