McClinton praises removal of Rizzo statue, continues pushing reforms to strengthen community-police relations

Rep. Joanna E. McClinton    June 3, 2020 | 1:56 PM

State Rep. Joanna McClinton today is praising the removal of the controversial statue portraying Frank Rizzo, former Philadelphia mayor and police commissioner, which stood in Thomas Paine Plaza across from City Hall for more than two decades. She released the following statement:

"While in office, Frank Rizzo constantly abused his power to discriminate against our communities of color, and his statue has been a constant reminder of the social injustices we have been fighting to eradicate for far too long across Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and the entire country.  

"The fact this symbol of racism and inequality is now gone represents a major win in our ongoing efforts to invoke change during a time we need it the most. 

"We must take this momentum and use it to pass the critical reform proposals we just introduced yesterday on the state and local levels to strengthen community-police relations. From outlawing chokeholds to requiring law enforcement to be mandated reporters of officer misconduct, we must change the laws to help our police departments ensure transparency and accountability from within their forces. 

"While I support the peaceful protests for justice in response to George Floyd's death, the time for talking is over and the time for action is now," said McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware.

A full list of proposed reforms can be found here.

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