Policy Resolution LJE-23-23

WHEREAS, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) has a vested interest in ensuring equal protection under the laws of the United States of America;

WHEREAS, NBCSL has a vested interest in ensuring the continuity of democracy in America through the peaceful transfer of power, and the protection of American institutions working to ensure a fair and just American society;

WHEREAS, on January 6, 2021, thousands of individuals breached the United States Capitol in an orchestrated coup attempt;

WHEREAS, these individuals committed treasonous acts against the government of the United States of America;

WHEREAS, many of the insurrectionists have not been arrested, nor held accountable in any form under current United States code;

WHEREAS, those who have been arrested and/or convicted, have received miniscule penalties and punishments for committing treasonous acts against the government of the United States of America;

WHEREAS, a vast majority of the insurrectionists were White Americans;

WHEREAS, Denmark Vesey was tried and executed for the suspicion of raising an insurrection (slave revolt) without any substantiated or substantive evidence;

WHEREAS, many African Americans and people of color have received far harsher penalties and punishment for far lesser crimes and violations compared to aiding and abetting an insurrection against the government of the United States of America;

WHEREAS, this trend has resulted in African Americans and people of color being disproportionately incarcerated or penalized for minor drug offenses or nonviolent crimes, when compared to White Americans; and

WHEREAS, the government of the United States of America has a vested interest in executing the application of its laws in a fair and just way.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that NBCSL urges the United States Department of Justice to ensure that those individuals who are guilty of treasonous acts against the United States of America, are held accountable for the crimes that they committed;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that NBCSL does not believe that the individuals that stormed the Capitol Building should be executed;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that NBCSL believes that those that helped to coordinate and facilitate this attack on our democracy, by knowingly lying about the 2020 election and coordinating this event should equally be held responsible for their actions;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that NBCSL urges Congress and the Administration to commit to executing the laws of the United States of America in a fair and just manner for all crimes;

BE FURTHER RESOLVED, that NBCSL urges Congress and the Administration to commit to investing resources into historically marginalized communities that have suffered due to the unfair, unjust, and illegal application of the laws of the United States of America for decades; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, Vice President of the United States, members of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, and other federal and state government officials as appropriate.

• Resolution ID: LJE-23-23
• Sponsored by: Rep. John L. Bartlett (IN)
• Policy Committee: Law, Justice, and Ethics (LJE)