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ACR-191 Black Lives Matter Month.(2023-2024)

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ACR191:v99#DOCUMENT

Revised  May 20, 2024

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Concurrent Resolution
No. 191


Introduced by Assembly Member Bonta
(Coauthors: Assembly Members Bryan, Cervantes, Gipson, Holden, Jackson, Jones-Sawyer, McCarty, McKinnor, Ortega, Weber, and Wilson)
(Coauthors: Senators Bradford and Gonzalez) Bradford, Gonzalez, and Smallwood-Cuevas)

May 01, 2024


Relative to Black Lives Matter Month.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


ACR 191, as introduced, Bonta. Black Lives Matter Month.
This measure would recognize May 2024 as Black Lives Matter Month, recognizing the profound impact of the movement, recommitting to the principles of justice and equality, and calling upon all states to follow in proclaiming their support for a society where truly, Black Lives Matter.
Fiscal Committee: NO  

WHEREAS, In May 2020, amid a global pandemic that shook the foundations of our daily lives, the brutal and public murder of George Floyd by a police officer sparked a worldwide outcry against racial injustice, leading Black Lives Matter to become the largest Black philanthropic organization in the world; and
WHEREAS, Before George Floyd, there were Oscar Grant, Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Sandra Bland, Philando Castile, Stephon Clark, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and countless others whose lives were tragically taken, illuminating the persistent scourge of anti-Black violence and systemic inequity; and
WHEREAS, Within weeks of George Floyd’s murder, the United States witnessed more than 4,700 demonstrations in every state and across over 40 percent of its counties, marking it as the largest movement in the country’s history, with an estimated participation between 15,000,000 and 26,000,000 million people; and
WHEREAS, George Floyd’s murder, captured in a harrowing bystander video uttering the words “I can’t breathe,” galvanized the global Black Lives Matter movement, leading to solidarity protests in over 50 countries and igniting a social awakening around the world on issues of racial injustice and police brutality, marking the Black Lives Matter movement as the largest protest movement in history; and
WHEREAS, Nearly a decade ago, the Black Lives Matter movement began not just as a cry for accountability but as a robust advocacy movement for structural change, demanding reforms from body cameras to a transformation of the very architecture of public safety, moving from punitive measures to community empowerment; and
WHEREAS, Black Lives Matter is working for a world where Black lives are no longer systematically targeted for demise and where the lives of Black queer and trans folks, disabled folks, undocumented folks, folks with records, women, and all Black lives along the gender spectrum are affirmed; and
WHEREAS, The Black Lives Matter movement has grown into the largest social justice movement in United States history, with millions of activists, organizers, strategists, and community members across the globe participating in a Black Lives Matter protest over the last decade; and
WHEREAS, As we approach May 2024, marking four years of significant philanthropic leadership and almost 11 years since the founding of this pivotal movement, the need for acknowledgment and proactive change remains as urgent as ever; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature recognizes May 2024 as Black Lives Matter Month, recognizing the profound impact of the movement, recommitting to the principles of justice and equality, and calling upon all states to follow in proclaiming their support for a society where truly, Black Lives Matter; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
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REVISIONS:
Heading—Line 5.
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