According to an e-mail from the California Democratic Party, a resolution was passed in support of the Black Lives Matter Movement.

RESOLUTION 15-08.20

Resolution in Support of the “Black Lives Matter” Movement

WHEREAS, the California Democratic Party upholds the ideals of equal justice under the law, racial justice, police accountability, and human dignity for all people; and the extrajudicial killing of Black people in this country has deep roots in the dehumanizing system of White supremacy that once defined Black bodies as property and persisted in the form of lynching during the 100+ years of Jim Crow; and

WHEREAS, the recent killings and deaths (while in police custody) of unarmed Black men, women, and children, including Sandy Bland, Freddie Gray, Walter Scott, Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Oscar Grant, Tamir Rice, and too many others compel questioning of whether or not equal justice under the law is possible for African Americans; and these deaths are indicative of a growing racial division that threatens the current and future well-being of our country; and

WHEREAS, there is a “widening gap of trust” between law enforcement and the African American community; and closing this “widening gap of trust” requires that we address the underlying inequities that continue to divide people in this country along racial lines; and while we recognize that there have been some strides made within police departments across the nation to engage in constructive dialogue and good faith efforts to improve relations among police officers and African Americans, we believe that the institutional racism in American society undermines the realization of the concepts of racial justice and equal justice under the law; that problems still exist; and that improvements are needed in order to protect lives;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the California Democratic Party supports the Black Lives Matter movement, community meetings, and peaceful demonstrations; and

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the California Democratic Party calls for the creation and dissemination of a national model for community policing, well-funded and thoughtful programs that will provide marginalized young people access to academic and career programs, and an end to institutionalized racism; a copy of this resolution shall be sent to the Democratic members of the United States Congress and California State Legislature.

Sponsored by Hene Kelly and the CDP African Americn Caucus