May 29, 2019
(SACRAMENTO, CA, 5/29/19) – The California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA) today applauded the state Assembly for passing Assembly Bill 392, which would reform the legal standard of police use of force.
The bill makes clear that peace officers should only use deadly force when necessary in defense of human life. Under current law, police officers can use deadly force whenever an “objectively reasonable” officer would have done the same.
The Assembly passed the legislation, introduced by Assemblywoman Shirley Weber, by a vote of 67 to 0, on Wednesday. The bill moves on to the Senate for review and approval.
“We applaud the Assembly passing AB 392,” said Mahmoud Zahriya, policy and advocacy manager for CAIR-Sacramento Valley/Central California, an office of CAIR-CA. “For too long, we have maintained a use-of-force standard that has given too much leeway to law enforcement to kill Californians. Too many lives have been lost, particularly those of marginalized community members. We are thrilled to see bipartisan support of taking a major step in saving lives across California, holding police accountable and restoring community trust!”
AB 392 is a top-priority bill for CAIR-CA, and was advocated for by more than 650 people during the eighth annual Muslim Day at the Capitol, held on April 22, 2019.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR-SV Communications Manager Kalin Kipling-Mojaddedi, 916-441-6269, kkipling@cair.com