The New York City Council voted on Thursday to end qualified immunity for police officers which will open the door for them to face civil lawsuits once the bill is signed by Mayor Bill de Blasio, according to a press release. Colorado also recently eliminated eliminated the doctrine - but New York City will become the first major city to do so after the death of George Floyd caused increased scrutiny of of police. New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson hailed the legislation and said qualified immunity was 'rooted in our nation's history of systemic racism.' 'Qualified immunity was established in 1967 in Mississippi to prevent Freedom Riders from holding public officials liable even when they broke the law,' Johnson tweeted. Another resolution supports a New York State bill that would require NYPD officers to live in New York City - which they are not currently required to do.

Source: The Nation March 27, 2021 09:11 UTC