WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Sunday, Jacob Blake was shot at least seven times in the back by police, while three of his children watched in horror. Yesterday, the whole nation witnessed Jacob Blake Sr. cry out — “My son matters.  He’s a human being, and he matters.” Incidents like these are why Black women and men live in fear in their own country, and why we are still out in the streets demanding justice. 

Police violence, structural racism, and institutional resistance to change has left Black people more afraid for their safety and less secure in their Constitutional rights. The inhumane treatment of another person of color follows the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, and the recent shooting death by police of Trayford Pellerin in Lafayette, Louisiana, and countless other black lives. We must meet this moment in history and continue our calls for action until equitable justice is served.  

NOW demands justice for Jacob Blake and NOW demands justice for Black lives. We call on local authorities to take swift action against the officers involved in his shooting and demonstrate to the community their ability to set up an independent, transparent review process. We need more than condolences from our leaders – we need them to act now to ensure justice and safety for Black communities, so we renew our calls for the Senate to strengthen and pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act without further delay. 

Contact: Press Team, press@now.org,