Rethinking Policing Series: Activism and Reform
June 24, 2020
The police killing of George Floyd has spurred mass protests and a national conversation on ending police brutality and racial injustice. This series aims to educate and empower individuals, communities and the next generation of leaders pursuing meaningful change.
Justice for George Floyd: Understanding and Responding to Minneapolis (June 5)
Georgetown Law Dean William Treanor hosted “Justice for George Floyd: Understanding and Responding to Minneapolis.”
“As a community focused on justice and service, we have an important opportunity to channel our energy, knowledge, and resources into efforts that can help end the cycle of discrimination, brutality, rage, and division gripping our nation,” said Treanor.
Georgetown Law Associate Dean for Clinics and Experiential Learning Kristin Henning (L’97), who organized the program, moderated a panel that included Professor Paul Butler, Professor from Practice Christy Lopez, Associate Director for Ignatian Formation Mary Novak, and Howard Law Professor Justin Hansford (L’97).
Transforming the Police (June 11)
This panel provided an overview of police reform efforts to date, discussed what’s working and what’s not, and explored where we should go next.
Georgetown Law Professor Rosa Brooks moderated the panel that included Georgetown Law Professor from Practice Christy E. Lopez, Executive Director of the Professional Development Bureau of the DC Metropolitan Police Department Marvin Haiman, Director of the Policing Program at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights Lynda Garcia, and Former Director of the U.S. Department of Justice COPS Office Ron Davis.
Preparing the Next Generation: Activism and Healing (June 18)
Centering hope as the motivating force for change, panelists grappled with the challenges and promise of activism in the search for meaningful transformation and healing after the killing of George Floyd.
Georgetown Law Associate Dean Kristen Henning (L’97) moderated a panel that included Professor Anthony Cook, Lecturer Amy Uelmen (C’90, L’93, L’15), National Office Advancement Project Executive Director Judith Browne Dianis, Licensed Clinical Psychologist Diversity & Inclusion Speaker Justin Hopkins, and Racial Justice Advocate Janae Staicer (L’20).
Police Abolition: What Does it Mean? (June 24)
Police abolition and the “defund police” movement have been simmering for a while but only entered the national conversation after George Floyd’s death and the protests that followed. Find out what it means (and what it doesn’t) as we discuss where this new conversation might take us.
Georgetown Law Professor from Practice Christy Lopez moderated a panel that included Professor Allegra McLeod, Howard Law Professor Justin Hansford (L’07), and Relman Colfax Associate Tahir Duckett (L’17).