This petition stems from a deeply personal place, born from the shocking tragedy that unfolded on December 9, 2024. On that grim day, Robert Brooks of Rochester, New York, a man with a criminal record but entitled to the basic human right of life, was brutally beaten to death by police officers. As a young person, I once believed that the police were an institution of protection - a belief that the events of recent years have shattered cruelly.

This heinous act against Robert Brooks starkly demonstrates the violent and disproportionate use of force by law enforcement in our society, often targeted towards individuals in vulnerable situations. According to the Mapping Police Violence project, police killed 1,099 people in 2019 alone, with Black people accounting for 24% of those killed despite making up only 13% of the population. This alarming disparity highlights an urgent need for accountability and reform in our policing and justice system.

Yet, despite these disturbing statistics, prosecution remains relatively rare. The Washington Post reports that only 110 non-federal sworn law enforcement officers were charged with murder or manslaughter in connection with on-duty shootings between 2005 and 2019, with only 42 of those officers being convicted. This grim reality further underscores the urgency of our call for justice.

We urge the relevant authorities to bring criminal charges against the officers involved in the brutal and fatal encounter with Robert. A message must be sent to officers nationally: unlawful and excessive force will not be tolerated and those who infract will be held accountable.

Join us in demanding justice for Robert Brooks and reform in our policing system. Sign this petition today.