George Floyd.

Breonna Taylor.

Philando Castile. Rekia Boyd. Freddie Gray. Sandra Bland. Eric Garner. Michael Brown.

There seems to be a never ending list of names, hashtags, and murders of Black men and women at the hands of the police. And it must end.

Racist policing and state violence is an injustice targeted at Black communities in this country. It also destroys lives and separates families in Latinx communities, in the form of police brutality, ICE detention centers, and Customs and Border Patrol abuses.

We demand justice.

There are many ways to get involved to end police brutality and racist policing. From protesting to donating, you have every right to speak up. The problem also requires comprehensive and systemic policy changes. In 2015, Voto Latino contributed to President Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing with concrete recommendations to make police accountable to the communities they serve. President Trump’s Justice Department has buried these recommendations, and we must hold those in power accountable. You can sign our petition to the Department of Justice to enforce the recommendations.

Another way you can combat this issue is by voting. Policing, prosecution, and mass incarceration are often decided at the local level, by mayors, county commissioners, city councilors, and district attorneys. Be sure to vote all the way down the ballot for leaders who will listen to us and who care about the safety and lives of our Black and brown communities. By using your power to vote, we can save lives that are at risk of police brutality.