DC residents actively working for police reform in the District of Columbia have been trying to get the DC City Council to hold a hearing that would allow their fellow residents to testify about their experience with the police. The good news is the DC Council’s Judiciary Committee is holding an Oversight Roundtable on policing for next Thursday, July 12th. The bad news is that event was announced less than a week ago, giving activists very little time to get the word out to those who might like to testify. Fortunately, Grassroots DC managed to capture some testimony on our own. Footage was shot by Just Jones, Josh the Girl and Liane Scott. It was edited by Miheema Goodine and Liane Scott. Information about the roundtable and how to participate follows:: Councilmember Charles Allen, Chairperson Committee on the Judiciary & Public Safety Announces a Public Oversight Roundtable on Policing and Public Safety In Wards 7 and 8 Thursday, July 12, 2018 9:30 a.m. Room 412, John A. Wilson Building 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20004 Reconvening at 5:00 p.m. Deanwood Recreation Center 1350 49th Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20019 The Committee seeks testimony from residents on topics related to policing and public safety, to include community policing; stops and frisks; the use of force; de-escalation strategies; gun recovery tactics; policing public space; and police presence in the community. Government witnesses will be heard in the morning session, and public witnesses are welcome at both the morning and evening sessions. Anyone wishing to testify at the roundtable should contact the Committee via email at
[email protected] or at (202) 724-7808, and provide their name, telephone number, organizational affiliation, and title (if any), by close of business Tuesday, July 10. Public witnesses who do not wish to be featured on camera can have their names and likenesses obscured, and they should so indicate when registering.
