FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information: David Amor, 309-335-7857
KNOX COUNTY BOARD CONDEMNS SYSTEMIC RACISM IN WAKE OF GEORGE FLOYD MURDER, CALLS ON COUNTY AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TO REVIEW PRACTICES AND STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
At its meeting on June 24, the Knox County Board approved a statement deploring the recent murder of George Floyd and condemning systemic racism as a persistent problem in American society nationally, both in policing and other institutions. The statement was made in response to a letter from the Galesburg branch of the NAACP.Similar letters were also sent to the City of Galesburg, the Knox County Sheriff and the Galesburg Police Department, as well as the Knox County Board.The County Board commended the NAACP for its efforts to reform policing practices and endorsed the statement of shared principles issued jointly by the NAACP Illinois State Conference and the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police calling for a stronger relationship of trust between police and minority communities through ongoing consultation, procedural justice, community policing, diversity in hiring, and expanded de-escalation training.In addition, the County Board supported the call by the local Galesburg NAACP branch to Galesburg and Knox County law enforcement agencies recommending specific reforms to improve the way they interact with communities of color and increase public accountability. The Board encouraged all law enforcement agencies in Knox County to enter into dialogue with the NAACP Chapter regarding these proposed reforms.
