The Milwaukee Common Council passed a resolution Tuesday that would urge the Fire and Police Commission to adopt policy changes to protect citizens against excessive uses of force.
The "I can't breathe" resolution was introduced by Alderman Russell W. Stamper in response to the death of George Floyd, who died in Minneapolis police custody on May 25.
Stamper introduced the resolution in light of the recent protests of Floyd's death, as well as the previous deaths of Manuel Ellis, Eric Garner and Derek Williams.
“Too many times in the recent past have we seen African-American men and women lose their lives during police interactions after stating that they can’t breathe,” said Stamper in a press release. “Adoption of the policy by the Fire and Police Commission will be a positive effort in fighting against police misconduct.”
The resolution encourages the Fire and Police Commission to create a policy that would require police to ask suspects if he/she needs medical attention any time "I can't breathe" is said.
The resolution was co-sponsored by Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs, Alderman Khalif J. Rainey, Alderwoman Chantia Lewis, Alderwoman Nikiya Dodd, Alderman Ashanti Hamilton, Alderman Jose G. Perez, Alderman Nik Kovac, Alderman Cavalier Johnson, Alderman Robert J. Bauman, Alderman Mark A. Borkowski, Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic, and Alderwoman JoCasta Zamarripa.
