I personally know the pain and suffering this petition seeks to acknowledge. As a victim of police brutality, the echoes of the traumatic event still persist in my daily life. The extent of the mental strain is intense; I grapple with severe post-traumatic stress disorder, overwhelming depression, and crippling anxiety. Thoughts of suicide have become an unwelcome companion, and I live in almost total isolation, cut off from my loved ones. The events dredged up horrific memories, reopening old wounds.

The impact of police brutality extends far beyond the physical. The mental and emotional toll is enormous and yet often overlooked. Establishing a ribbon color for victims of police brutality is a small, but significant step towards recognizing this hidden suffering.

Studies corroborate these personal experiences. A 2018 report from the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that "exposure to police violence influenced PTSD symptoms, and these symptoms were associated with poor overall mental health." Moreover, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, about 9% of people who have PTSD also have suicidal thoughts.

This is why I am proposing a ribbon color specific to victims of police brutality - a symbol for our shared experiences and struggles, an emblem of our resilience, and a plea for understanding and change.

Please join me in this call to give visibility to this silent hardship by establishing a symbol that truly represents us. We deserve recognition, compassion, and most importantly, a solution to end police brutality. Please sign this petition – your support is invaluable.