antoinebugleboy
147932
5176
145
Find your representative here:
https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
#blacklivesmatter #endpoliceviolence #georgefloyd #human_rights #constitutional_rights
iluvplants
Done! Read more about it and sent an email to Bergman.
ShatPoster69420
Id vote for this guy.. Seems pretty consistent in his morals
rent249
Fuck the police (with lawsuits)
jayar1st
QI does not protect officers who violate established constitutional rights.
kakkapyllypillu
Inorder to become a police in my country u need to go to police university for 3 years. People love the cops. America should try it.
TheYodajen
That's my rep!
ReverendBeef
Now do civil forfeiture laws!
Barrum
1/We do have to tread a little lightly here. Some roll back of that protection to punish huge screw ups is fine, but there are a ton of
Barrum
2/minor screw ups that we don't want otherwise good police officers going bankrupt/fired over. A measured approach would be best
aloysiuscentauri
Nuance doesn’t exist on Imgur.
untrugby
Bad idea, it will same some lives but cost many more due to police unwilling to risk
faultysage
Unwilling to risk.... killing people? Finish your thought.
danthe727man
Probably less people willing to be police officers. If you live in a shitty area that is bad. Where i live we wouldnt notice less police
JifLover
Without knowing anything about the subject to any extent that's worth having an opinion, I'm for this & will chastise anyone who disagrees.
FuzzyCheddar
I sent a message for Tom Cotton. Let’s see how that goes. Fuck I hate living in Arkansas. All our politicians are the worst.
digiorno88
It may suck at the federal level, but don't forget your state and local levels. Work on getting changes on all levels!
mardukkur
Tom Cotton the literal fascist who just wrote an editorial in NYT urging the US military to start killing protesters? Good luck with that.
jayar1st
Many people on imgur seem to have a deep misunderstanding of QI.
NAbsentia
your constituents would rather just not be abused than to be magnanimously granted permission to litigate. Reform the police, not lawsuits.
faultysage
This IS the reform!
ElbowDeepinaTinyOctopus
This should be a brick, not the whole wall.
TheSoftPainterBoy
I never call representatives, but I called. Doing my part to hold officers accountable
buttcreambandit
I mean ya that sounds legit. But can we talk about how the won 59 million dollars from the police station? That comes out of our taxes
buttcreambandit
Like I get it. It’s some form of justice and reparation but 59 million? And from our taxes. Well our cities through our taxes
buttcreambandit
No wonder infrastructure, schools, and police stations are fucked and underfunded. There’s no money left after law suits
MrStickyCheeks
Isn't he running for the Libertarian party? Imma vote for him.
FlyingGiantElk
Police are above average citizens, by the powers vested in them, and that comes with a higher standard; higher you are, the harder the fall.
ReadySetBake
Not to be cynical, but we are asking the legislature to vote against their own protection. They are protected by QI. Seems like a hard sell.
Traja01
Legislators aren’t unless they’re acting in some other capacity. Legislators have absolute immunity.
ReadySetBake
I think it's better to reform QI instead. Otherwise what are we replacing it with? We need a balanced solution. Current QI is not balanced.
Thornaxe
Agreed. There needs to be a higher bar for law enforcement than civilians. Regarding both behavior and resistance to lawsuits.
whattheheckisthat
Thanks so much for sharing, @op. Just wrote my rep.
Idonotbelievewehavecompany
Does cover the siezure of property as well?
Alfadorfox
ReadySetBake
No. That's civil forfeiture and a completely different thing from QI. Also bad, but totally different.
Idonotbelievewehavecompany
Thank you. I couldn’t remember at the time
Xedi22
Stopping for-profit policing and setting up a means to actually do criminal prosecution of cops would do better than removing QI IMO.
zandtenterprises24
Sure, but can we put back into law allowing people to protect themselves? Whether it's from criminals or police?
Traja01
Already exists.
Papabehhr
That's a rough one. Every hardcore criminal will get into a fire fight with the cops everytime and claim this.
MagiicHat
That's fine. For the most part, by the time the police show up, it's already way too late.
Euchre
You mean like George Zimmerman exploited 'Stand Your Ground' to escape his murder conviction?
Papabehhr
Yep, i bet thats all u would hear everytime.
Counterfit
He actually didn't use that law in his defense. It probably wouldn't have helped him anyway
Weregerbil2
The "Stand your ground" laws were irrelevant to his case. All 50 states have self defense laws that would result in his acquittal.
Euchre
If you consider pursuing someone against police advice, then killing them when they resist your assault, sure. His defense was bullshit.
Markuspsyches
Wait you can claim self defense from your victim's self defense? What is that a mobius strip of self defense?
Weregerbil2
It's a little more complicated than that, I recommend reading the wikipedia article to get a taste of the laws involved, it's informative.
zandtenterprises24
Well every BLM seems to be more about keeping the police away, that's just going to leave everyone else to deal with criminals.
experiencemike
Bring in the organized crime syndicates. They will keep shit criminals at Bay and police will not be involved mostly.
DeathReaper7291
yh, and then those crime syndicates will just have you pay them whatever they want to protect you from them and others.
Xedi22
That’s what you do when the police are worse than the criminals. You price yourselves....eventually organized crime. It’s a cycle.
StJiub
Disagree. BLM & all these protests is about police accountability for everyone equally and holding cops to higher standards than the public
ThorGodOfHammers13000
I agree with you. I didn't like BLM until these recent events. I always thought they were pushing a false narrative. Today I see that (1)
ThorGodOfHammers13000
they really are standing up for what's right and I appreciate them for it. They have my support. And when it comes to defending yourself (2)
Healthcarecrisis
TIL who my representative is. What is the best communication method? Twitter? Phone? Email? Mail?
sjbrooksy7447
Mail I hear
truthisgood
Mail, phone and email likely best. Social media may not have robust processes in place, however, each rep is different
MintMission
Phone call is thought to be on important avenue since the person has to put enough effort into actually picking up the phone.
Midna07
Resistbot if you're a busy human!
antoinebugleboy
I called, them followed up with a personally written email. But I hear snail mail has the most impact.
prettyfacedbirdy
Calling is the best communication. Email is ok to good, but calling is best from what I’ve heard.
spudpicker
Millions of dollars in campaign donations.
Aerisot
Sounds great, until they slip another un-needed bil with it.
Ffudmethen
This will sit on Moscow Mitch's desk collecting dust
MnemonicMacGyver
I’m shocked... help me find my shocked face...
nate55
Yeah, don’t they keep bundling bills together for some reason? And say it won’t pass unless the other one does too?
Grimbby
That right there IS the reason.
turalyawn
Are you saying you support the "Remove qualified immunity and make child cannibalism legal" act? You monster
TrickerTreater
Or guys in prison tie up to legal system with 8,000 lawsuits about emotional distress.
Unicornwizard42
Well, considering most people in prison are black people on false drug charges....
JoelsPerfectBabybackRibs
Everyone in prison is “innocent”
Unicornwizard42
Not every crime is worthy of being imprisoned. Especially not being busted for smoking weed.
JoelsPerfectBabybackRibs
Oh i agree. My point was just that while some people are in on false charges, most people probably aren’t, even tho they claim it
Unicornwizard42
I'd say that it's not "tying up" as it is giving them a chance for justice.
Jusmar
Source for this? Blacks are disproportionately convicted, unsure about false or drugs. https://www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/pie2020.html
Unicornwizard42
https://www.naacp.org/criminal-justice-fact-sheet/
armagetz
DV for your own source not saying a single syllable in support of your claim of being wrongfully imprisoned.
Smagalicious
Who in the fuck would downvote this?? Republicans????
TrickerTreater
It sounds great, yes... Reality says angry people in jail have nothing to do but generate lawsuits against everyone
woodchucc3211
This is a solidly bi-partisan thing, if anything the dems use better names for bs bills. Both parties sucks donkey dong
TrickerTreater
Or worse, cops who would hesitate because they think they might get sued into oblivion
Papabehhr
So what like u get to sue the cop?
UrsaPsi
Essentially holding cops to the same legal standings as doctors. Doctors can be sued, fined and jailed for malpractices. Cops should too.
NightfallEverdark
Civilly. QA does not apply to criminal acts.
kakkapyllypillu
As a european: wtf, u cant sue cops? America truly is the worlds richest third world country.
K92PSDRITA
You can sue cops, but if the ofc. acted within the scope of their agency (eg: within policy, etc.), they are granted qualified immunity cont
K92PSDRITA
and the agency will pay out if the courts deem this necessary.
ILovedUnicornsFirst
I think we’re more like when you see a guy with an expensive car, boat, and house who obviously can’t afford it. It appears he is wealthy >
ILovedUnicornsFirst
>but I’m actuality, he’s buried under debts he will never be able to repay and has several maxed out credit cards.
KiyaSeraphia
I'd argue we aren't even rich. We're just REALLY good at kicking that can downstream.
Dracology
Feels like this is a good way to end up with no cops and gang dominace but that's just me
Traja01
Removing QI is a bad idea and it will never pass. This is just a show for his constituents and the country.
redstang1
Exactly. The unintended consequences of this are going to be many and mostly negative.
NightfallEverdark
As a cop, I have benefitted from QA. A subject sued me over a traffic stop. He alleged racism and verbal abuse. It was false, as shown 1/
NightfallEverdark
On my body camera. Without QA, I would have had to get my own lawyer, pay out about $20-30k in legal fees, just to get it dismissed 2/
Ri1988
Sucks to be held accountable, eh?
NightfallEverdark
Held accountable for what? Doing my job properly? Or not losing my house b/c some asshole wanted to lie for their own profit?
Ri1988
Disagree. End qualified immunity, and you must get malpractice insurance.
NightfallEverdark
So, I would rather see this modified, than abolished.
Thornaxe
Without QI the department would have to provide coverage for its officers, or nobody would work there. Hospitals already do this.
Traja01
They already do that. Either he works for a very small strange precinct or he didn’t fully understand the deal.
NAbsentia
That's what everyone you arrest has to do. Stupid arrests ruin whole families. Count yourself lucky to have the courts treat you well.
DeathReaper7291
The difference is those families dont HAVE to sue, and cops could get multiple of those a year. Literally unaffordable. Also, attourneys 1/
macthelost
Good. No more stopping people for no reason of for very minor infractions or even just “driving while black”
DeathReaper7291
i BELIEVE, are given to you if you cant afford one. 2/2
NAbsentia
A cop who gets multiple suits a year isn't to be protected, man. Find another poster boy for not suing people who injure you.
macthelost
Yup. He says it like they need protection. Fuck that. Cops should have to be the ones that have to be polite as fuck so they don’t get sued!
gingernuts4me
Get your union to step up. I'm assuming if a lawsuit is frivolous the plaintive picks up the tab at the end?
NightfallEverdark
Not in my state.
claykie
Unions arent available everywhere.
gingernuts4me
Unions have deep enough pockets to cover the costs if they are recouped. If you lose the case, you pay the union their fees
Traja01
You can get fees and costs for a frivolous lawsuit but that bar is hard to overcome and you don’t get your time back.
NightfallEverdark
Not in 18 states in the country. See SLAPP suits.
Traja01
Yea no I know about SLAPP suits. Specific circumstances and still generally hard to get.
excepttheoneswhoaredead
I'm embarrassed to say that I just found out Representative Ocasio-Cortez represents my district. I left her a message!
NBbubblegum
Why embarrassed?
excepttheoneswhoaredead
I didn't know who my rep was, and turned out they were one of the most well known ones
NBbubblegum
Ah, that's fair. She's just a very divisive individual. I was worried you meant something else.
spudpicker
Treat it as a win. You know your reps! Definitely a step in the right direction. Next step: making an informed vote in November.
antoinebugleboy
More information on qualified immunity: https://washex.am/36XINiM
companydysprosium
The triple dip D:
gitguuud
Shits getting real when Wash Ex joins in the party.
Papabehhr
One problem.. most cops r broke.
CanadaIdentifier
Often the city or state indemnifies the officer. This is especially common when the city wants the case out of the spotlight and settles
CanadaIdentifier
(Remember the vast majority of cases settle, they rarely go to trial). So removing qualified immunity for most still provides an avenue for
CanadaIdentifier
Compensation. Unfortunately that means quite often the officer themselves does not contribute to the settlement.
Papabehhr
The cops here in south Chicago are all working class. What can the contribute? Best would be maybe criminal charges and job loss. Enough?
666Zamora666
then the should be and incentive to not abuse power
Papabehhr
Gonna be a tough sell especially when get city lawyers convince a court the city is not responsible. People will be pissed when the 10mil >
Papabehhr
Settlements disappear.
ratfaceddog
In conservative-speak, “broke” means “lazy and self-entitled,” doesn’t it?
Papabehhr
? They make about what teachers make. No more 10 mil lawsuits
WhichIsIt
What teachers make 100 grand?
Papabehhr
None i know unless you are an administrator
ChorizoPig
Cops here in Austin make more than any of the teachers I know.
Papabehhr
Not that much, maybe what 50-60,000$. Sure anyone who makes less than 1/2 and u end up with shit.
antoinebugleboy
There are some calls for "malpractice insurance" for police, or to withdraw restitution from police union pension funds instead of taxes.
BearToof
As a doc in residency - I’m jealous of the QA and understand the thought process behind it. But exposure to legal recourse does keep some
BearToof
docs from making unethical decisions (I think? I have no evidence to support that tho). I can’t imagine not having to worry about being sued
BearToof
For simple mistakes or even things out of my control when it comes to patient care/surgery.
gaidinbdj
The pension fund only works if it happens to be a cop near retirement. Otherwise, that'll be peanuts, too.
Papabehhr
That's gonna be tough. Malpractice insurance is expensive (they do not make doctor money) and money from the pension is also rough. Watch>
hawkca
Nurses can get malpractice insurance, too. I pay $119/year & get up to $500,000. It can be done.
Papabehhr
Op example was 14 mil..$500,000 won't make people happy. This is all theoretical of course but i trust lawyers less than cops.
Papabehhr
The cry will be y take money from Good cops to help bad cops.
antoinebugleboy
Good cops will support this to weed out bad cops. If they don't, they're not good cops.
alcamar
Or it'll result in bad cops getting dumped so the rates don't go up, sorta like when you get into multiple wrecks in a car...
sendmeyourtoepics69
This sounds great in theory until you understand that most cops live pay check to pay check
webgambit
And those in smaller towns typically work a second job just to get by.
shortdickman
You mean like most of us? The average American is 2 checks shy of destitution.
caine224
So if you go sued and lost and ordered to pay $10 million, how much would that person be getting from you?
sendmeyourtoepics69
Hahaha touché I am poor as fuck
Silversalvation
Cops have a greater risk of being sued warranted or frivolous. I don't think qualified immunity as is is good but they need something.
antoinebugleboy
Just called and left a message for my representative. First time I've ever done that in my life.
digiorno88
Good work! But don't stop there. Contact your state legislator and local leaders. Get the change on all three levels!
truthisgood
Sweet. That's what we need, more people actively taking part in democracy. Write, phone, email. Even us in the UK
MarysueUltrabittch
I sent a letter to mine about the Earn It Act and he defended him voting for it by citing lindsey graham as a good honest man. :/
Lastcentura
Why are you getting downvoted .. i don't get it
amarangel
I’ve done that more in the past 4 years than I ever had before.
FourLegsGood
That's it. Don't just vote. Democracy means rule of the people. Self-government. Be involved. Teach. Support.
CountryMacRIP
I just emailed my congresswoman! Honest question: is a phone call better or is there a difference?
kmgj
Do both! But calls usually have a bit more impact than email. Always make sure it’s YOUR Sen or representative & emphasize where your from.
CountryMacRIP
Got it. Thanks for the info!
TheTimesTheyAreAChangin
We need more like you, & more like Amash
unit47
Do it again!! Call them every day!!
anitabieror6
hell yes! high 5!!
BiologicallyHazardousMaterial
How do you find out who your representatives are? Is there a website I can go to find out
kmgj
Here is the House ofReps’ resource https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
kmgj
Nice! As someone who worked in one of those offices all calls are logged for responses and 99.5% are taken seriously (had a few local wacos)
kmgj
The rule of thumb is 1 call = minimum 10 people with the same views/concerns
BeautifulSound
A few local wacos? Uh oh, don't call the FBI.
cookiepussnboots
I had given up on doing this since I thought calls were completely ignored. This changed my mind. Thank you for that.
kmgj
Happy to help! Most staff in the offices genuinely care about constituents. A lot of them are usually from the district.
kmgj
Unless your rep is a fucknuckle then they’ll usually handle all outreach well. Especially for issues like what’s been going on recently
TiredOfTheBS
False. My rep’s staffers won’t take calls from liberals anymore
WookieWookieWookie
Because they know you won't vote for them anyway and that's all they care about
kmgj
Who’s your rep? I mean some are that far gone but most aren’t. Plus they’ll have to talk with you at least once to find out someone’s a lib
WookieWookieWookie
Idk mine, but I'm assuming some staffer could easily weed the call out based on what you're supporting. I can't see repubs caring much.
CAKEISETERNAL
I wonder if that is the case in every office?
kmgj
It is usually. If they want to get re-elected offices have to know how not to piss of the people who vote for them.
CptBronson
Senators probably not so much, but House Reps really need to take it seriously. At least in states with more than like 5 of them.
TiredOfTheBS
Or like Texas where it’s so gerrymandered it’s doesn’t matter.
CptBronson
In gerrymandered states they still have the be worried about a challenger from the same party.
Mentok
What about email/submitting a message through the website?
SirBagels
@kmgj I'm curious too
kmgj
It’s the same concept-It’s sometimes harder to know if ppl who email are from the Rep’s district, so be sure to say what town your from 1/3
kmgj
Make it a personalized email and it’ll usually be considered the same as writing a letter and mailing it. That level of effort is noted
kmgj
Most offices have positions called Legislative Correspondents who’s job focus is to respond and communicate w/ citizens on stuff like this
powwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
How was the process? Can you walk us through it? I imagine like a 4 hour automated service from hell.
kmgj
Call your Reps DC office, you’ll likely be talking to a staff assistant or and intern who’s been there for a month 1/x
kmgj
they’ll chat with you and listen to your concerns and likely explain what they’ve been told to say about the congressman’s views on 2/x
kmgj
whatever issue your talking about. They’ll be taking notes and get your info and bring it to a more senior staff member who’ll usually 3/x
kmgj
then be tasked with following up with a more detailed response via letter. Senate offices can be harder to get on the line because of 4/x
antoinebugleboy
I called the DC office number listed at my Rep’s page. I reached a switchboard op who forwarded me to her office, and I left a message. Easy
CharlieandMe
Hey! Thank you for sharing this. It makes me far less anxious to make the calls I need to make.
CanadianEngineer
CALL IN PEOPLE! Your reps aren’t on Imgur, they can’t hear you here!
Ashokaaa
Some might be :D but obviously it doesn't mean anything here
CanadianEngineer
Not enough, and they also don’t know whether you’re one of their constituents