RISE UP DEFENDERS OF JUSTICE! A PUBLIC PLEA.

By Allison M. Williams, Assistant Public Defender^*

8 minutes and 46 seconds of helplessness
8 minutes and 46 seconds of hopelessness
In 8 minutes and 46 seconds a man’s life was taken
In 8 minutes and 46 seconds the world was shaken
In 8 minutes and 46 seconds a man lay dead on a pavement
In 8 minutes and 46 seconds George Floyd’s death started a movement.

As constitutional defenders we need to start being contenders
Hold these politicians and police accountable so injustices do not become insurmountable
Through voting and activism we can fight systemic racism
Blacks will continue to be disproportionately imprisoned
Do not let this moment in history continue to be a mystery
Rise up defenders of the Constitution
Rise up defenders against oppression.

We have to push for more police reform
We are tired of police killings being the norm
We have to do a better job to inform
As defenders of justice let us use our massive platform
The police use-of-force policies need to be reassessed
Let us push our politicians to address and redress
In seeking racial equality let us help remove the appearance of impropriety
When investigating police brutality it should be done thru an independent oversight committee
Rise up defenders of the Constitution
Rise up against racist institutions.