STATEMENT ON ANTI-RACISM & POLICE REFORM
Like so many, I have felt outraged and filled with sadness because of the recent tragedies--George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and more--and the lack of compassion, leadership, and empathy from some of our leaders.
I want to first state my support for the non-violent protests in Albuquerque, around New Mexico, and in communities of all sizes around the country.
I see the turmoil of our nation and communities and recognize that there is a long way to go and a lot of wrongs to right. For me, as a white woman, the situation in which I find myself in is a process of continual learning. It is an opportunity to listen and understand the experiences about which black and brown (and all people of color) have been talking about for years and decades.
I’ve spent time asking, listening, and researching because, as a candidate for public office, it is important to me that I be prepared to commit to specific actions and serve as an active ally for leaders in the movement for racial justice.
I know that this is just the beginning. But, I want to share with you my thoughts and way of thinking.
First, here are steps that I am taking:
identifying an anti-racism policy agenda that I can fight for as a legislator including how we ensure fair, safe, and effective community policing that protects and serves all members of the public,
leading by listening and learning and never dismissing other people’s experiences,
being a parent and community member who stands up in-the-moment when any adult or child, including my own, acts in an insensitive or inexcusable way, and
sharing books and other media with my daughters so that they can have a better understanding of racism, racial injustice, and inequality.
Second, here are some guiding principles that I believe are imperative:
work to end systemic and systematic racism and inequality
reduce systemic barriers to opportunity
integrate community voices into police policies and practices
ensure diverse-perspectives have a seat at the decision-making table
use data to identify and address problems
engage community-based responses to noncriminal matters
oppose the use of police in schools as a solution to student discipline
promote bias-free policing and procedural justice, and
create strong accountability systems.
Third, as I begin the journey of understanding what steps our legislature must take, here are three immediate steps that can be taken:
require lapel cameras/bodycams and dashcams for every law enforcement officer in the state and ensure adequate funding for purchasing entities
support efforts to ensure the consent decree process with APD is successful in creating long-term, sustainable change, particularly with the use of force issues
ensure New Mexicans who are victims of police misconduct have access to justice by
evaluating whether existing criminal laws are strong enough to cover cases where police cross the line; and
allow New Mexicans to bring civil cases to enforce their state constitutional rights (with no or limited qualified immunity).
Once again, I want to say that this is a deeply emotional and complex issue to which I don’t pretend to have all the answers. But, I can promise that I will listen, learn, and work together to bring positive change.
Additionally, it is worth noting that helping to uplift some communities is not meant to be at the expense of leaving others behind; rather about bringing them all together.
New Mexico is fortunate to have community advocates and leaders who have fought for justice, safety, and civil rights throughout their service and I look forward to working with and learning from them.