Milwaukee Passes 'I Can't Breathe' Resolution

MILWAUKEE, WI — The Milwaukee Common Council unanimously passed an "I Can't Breathe" resolution Tuesday, calling on local authorities to add a new form of legal protection for people who are arrested and detained by Milwaukee police.

The resolution urges the Milwaukee Police and Fire Commission to create an official policy that would require police to ask detainees whether they need medical attention in the event the detainee says "I can't breathe" or similarly expresses discomfort with being able to breathe.

“Too many times in the recent past have we seen African-American men and women lose their lives during police interactions after stating that they can’t breathe,” Milwaukee Alderman Russell Stamper said in a statement Tuesday. “Adoption of the policy by the Fire and Police Commission will be a positive effort in fighting against police misconduct.”

The resolution passed unanimously in the Milwaukee Common Council chambers Tuesday, and was introduced to the floor by Stamper. Stamper said the resolution was drafted in response to the death of George Floyd who died in police custody in Minneapolis on May 25 as well as previous deaths of Manuel Ellis, Eric Garner and Derek Williams, who all stated they were having trouble breathing during interactions with police officers prior to dying in police custody.

“The resolution requires policy changes that will help protect our citizens, especially people of color who are disproportionately impacted by the systemic issues that have led to excessive force by a police officer resulting in death,” Stamper said.