Released on June 26, 2020

WAHSINGTON, D.C. – The House of Representatives took a step toward justice by passing the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020, but Mitch McConnell has already signaled he has no intention of taking up this measure in the Senate. Senators who want to squarely address racism and violence in law enforcement disagree. 

NOW joined the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, along with more than 450 other civil rights organizations, in calling on congressional leadership to reimagine public safety and put communities first by shrinking the imprint of the criminal legal system, including the police, in our lives and investing in community-led solutions to curb state-sanctioned violence by law enforcement. 

The House bill makes important police accountability advances, but many provisions in the Justice in Policing Act must be strengthened.  Addressing deficiencies in the bill such as the failure to prohibit Qualified Immunity which allows police to abuse or kill suspects with impunity is one of the most serious. NOW calls upon the Senate to listen to civil rights and justice reform leaders and make those critical improvements.   

Passing a strong Justice in Policing Act is the first step in honoring the lives of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Tony McDade and so many others who have lost their lives at the hands of white supremacy and police violence.  Our activists will not pause, we will not rest, we will not tire—until Congress passes legislation that ensures justice and public safety for Black communities and begins to dismantle the structural racism that exists within our criminal legal system that has led to the loss of countless Black lives.

Contact: Press Team, press@now.org,

Released on June 24, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Moments ago, the Senate voted to confirm Judge Cory Wilson to the already conservative Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. This court has jurisdiction over courts across Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas – three states with severely limited abortion access. By adding Wilson to the bench, the Trump administration and Senate Republicans have made this court a monumental threat to women’s rights and reproductive freedom in these states.  

Cory Wilson has a history of extremist decisions and beliefs. He is outspoken about his desire to roll back abortion access and has attacked Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood. He’s called the Affordable Care Act “illegitimate” and opposed an expansion of Medicaid that would have benefited 100,000 people without health insurance. He is openly anti-LGBTQIA+ and has supported laws that enable voter suppression.  

The appointment of Judge Wilson to this court is an affront to women, Black communities, and other marginalized populations who need our support. The Senate has aided President Trump in placing over 200 right-wing, extremist judges and justices in courts across the country.  

NOW fiercely opposes judicial nominees who attack reproductive rights, accessible voting, LGBTQIA+ equality, and who are actively advocating to take away women’s rights. We are determined to flip the Senate and prevent Trump from serving another term in our nation’s highest office. The shameful appointment of Judge Wilson must be the last time Trump is able to use our courts to endanger the lives and rights of women.  

Contact: Press Team, press@now.org,

Released on June 24, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate’s failure to move decisively on comprehensive policing reform underscores the urgent need for Congress to follow the lead of their constituents, who overwhelmingly support an end to abusive policing practices, state-sanctioned violence and systemic brutality against Black people at the hands of law enforcement.  Senate Democrats are right to call B.S. on the JUSTICE Act, a pathetic excuse for reform. 

NOW supports the position of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights to demand that Congress adopt a set of fundamental reforms that must be in any policing legislation Congress adopts. 

These priorities are: (1) the creation of a use of force standard that allows force when necessary and as a last resort; (2) a ban on chokeholds; (3) a ban on racial profiling; (4) the establishment of a police misconduct registry; (5) the inclusion of a “reckless” standard in 18 U.S.C. Section 242 that enables federal prosecutors to hold law enforcement accountable for criminal civil rights violations; (6) a prohibition on no-knock warrants, especially in drug cases; (7) the elimination of the judge-made doctrine of qualified immunity, which allows officers and other government actors to evade accountability when they violate individuals’ rights by abusing and killing suspects; and (8) the demilitarization of law enforcement agencies.  

 In less than 12 hours, more than 450 civil rights, civil liberties, and racial justice organizations, including NOW, signed on to that letter to support these reforms – none of which are adequately addressed in Senate bill, S. 3985, the so-called JUSTICE Act. The Senate was poised to vote on this bill today.

 While some Senate Republicans are showing good-faith interest in at least making a start at reform, Mitch McConnell continues to revel in his self-described role as the “grim reaper” standing in the way of racial justice.  His political posturing and cynical maneuvering continues to cause irreparable harm to marginalized communities and is ultimately costing lives. 

NOW activists will continue working with advocates to dismantle this structural racism that has disproportionately caused harm to the Black community.    We stand for racial justice—and the victims of racial profiling, police brutality, and blatant prejudice and hatred.  The American people know what’s happening in the streets.  We demand justice. 

Contact: Press Team, press@now.org,