Decades of local organizing, coupled with the Black Lives Matter movement and the fury and protests ignited by the murder of George Floyd, have catalyzed significant momentum for police reform in our country. This momentum is promising, but many states have begun using a lesser-known legal tool – preemption – to sanction racist and dangerous policies, stripping the community and local government of vital power to reform policing.
Florida’s HB1 not only discourages protests by ratcheting up the charges (any participant in a gathering that turns violent — through no fault of their own — is subject to a 3rd-degree felony), but also limits local governments from adjusting their police budgets.
Nine cities have filed a lawsuit challenging HB 1 brought by Public Rights Project, Community Justice Project, and the Southern Poverty Law Center, with pro bono assistance from the law firm of Jenner & Block. This case is about empowering local governments to set their own priorities, protect underserved communities, and reimagine public safety. It is also about pushing back against the trend of abusive preemption in Florida and across the country.
Speakers
Berbeth Foster, Senior Staff Attorney, Community Justice Project
LiJia Gong, Policy and Legal Director, Local Progress
Gail Johnson, Activist, organizer, former Gainesville City Commissioner
Marissa Roy, Staff Attorney, Public Rights Project & Legal Team Lead, Local Solutions Support Center
