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Nikema Williams on Crime
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Need holistic justice with focus on opportunity, forgiveness
As a mother to my son Carter, I want him to have the best chance to live a fulfilling life. I want to know that he is safe while jogging, or sleeping in his car--and will not be robbed by hands of white supremacy. Our criminal justice system
must not be used as a tool of oppression. For too long--our society has focused solely on punishment and not on rehabilitation. We need a holistic justice system that allows those in it to improve their own lives and learn from their mistakes.
Source: 2020 House GA-5 Campaign website NikemaForCongress.com
, Feb 12, 2021
Unfettered police authority is dangerous
On a dreary 2018 morning, the state senator arrived at the state Capitol for a rote vote on Hurricane Michael relief. She left the building hours later, in restraints and flanked by law enforcement officers, for standing with voting rights protesters.
Though the criminal charges were later dismissed, Williams spent hours in a local jail and said officers threatened to conduct a strip search. It was an affront to First Amendment rights, and a reminder of the dangers of unfettered police authority.
Source: AJC: special election replacing 2019-20 GA-5 House incumbent
, Jul 22, 2020
Sponsored stricter rules for police accountability.
Williams co-sponsored George Floyd Justice in Policing Act
This bill addresses policing practices and law enforcement accountability:
- lowers the criminal intent standard--from willful to knowing or reckless--to convict a law enforcement officer for misconduct in a federal prosecution,
- limits qualified immunity as a defense to liability in a private civil action against a law enforcement officer, and
- grants administrative subpoena power to the Department of Justice (DOJ) in pattern-or-practice investigations.
Rep. Elise Stefanik in OPPOSITION (3/1/21): I voted against H.R. 1280--this bill poses a grave danger to law-abiding police officers, as it would eliminate qualified immunity protections, lower the standard for federal civil rights lawsuits, and limit access to necessary equipment during emergencies and natural disasters. Democrats rushed this bill to the House Floor without accepting any input from Republicans, expert testimony, or significant data. I am proud to sponsor the JUSTICE Act with Senator
Tim Scott, to provide necessary reforms to end police brutality while protecting our law-abiding officers.
OnTheIssues explanation of "qualified immunity": "Qualified immunity" means that police officers (and other government officials) cannot be sued for actions on duty, unless knowingly taking unreasonable actions. This bill would limit "qualified immunity," which means the family in cases like George Floyd's could sue the police for civil damages.
Biden Administration in SUPPORT (3/1/21): We must begin by rebuilding trust between law enforcement and the people they are entrusted to serve and protect. We cannot rebuild that trust if we do not hold police officers accountable for abuses of power and tackle systemic misconduct--and systemic racism--in police departments.
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 220-212-0 on March 3, 2021, rollcall #60; received in Senate on March 9; no further Senate action during 2021.
Source: H.R.1280 21-HR1280 on Feb 24, 2021
Page last updated: Jun 05, 2022; copyright 1999-2022 Jesse Gordon and OnTheIssues.org