This Kansas City area prosecutor was one of 40 to condemn George Floyd’s killing
The Wyandotte County District Attorney is one of 40 elected prosecutors to sign a statement condemning the killing of George Floyd as murder and calling for an end to police brutality and race-based policing.
Mark Dupree was the only Kansas City area prosecutor to sign the statement, which was published Friday by Fair and Just Prosecution, a network of recently elected prosecutors.
The statement demands accountability from prosecutors and police and steps toward systemic changes.
It calls the killing of Floyd, who died Monday after a police officer knelt on his neck for eight minutes while he gasped for breath, “one of many episodes of police brutality and excessive force that have plagued our communities for decades.
“Every episode of police violence against people of color lays bare the unbroken link between slavery and modern racially biased policing and demonstrates the moral imperative for all law enforcement leaders and every member of our justice system to do better,” the statement said.
The statement includes a list of recommendations for law enforcement to create that systemic change.
The recommendations are split into five goals: enhance accountability and address misconduct, promote transparency, address racially disparate policing and protect human life, prosecutorial practices and reset the justice system.
“As our streets erupt in outrage and grief, wise and level-headed leadership is an imperative,” the statement said. “We condemn those who call for further harm or the use of violence to address unrest and communities in pain.”
Protests have broken out nationwide following the death of George Floyd.
In Kansas City, demonstrators were active into the early morning hours in a predominantly peaceful protest.
Additional protests are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday in the Kansas City area.
This story was originally published May 30, 2020 at 2:18 PM.
