LegallyBLACK holding public forum with law enforcement in Tacoma

LegallyBLACK is hosting a public forum on Saturday, July 11 from 4-5 p.m. at Alma Mater in Tacoma with government officials and members of state, local and federal law enforcement, according to a news release. Doors open at 3:45 p.m.

LegallyBLACK, which stands for “Brave, Lifted, Altruistic, Creative, & Keen” according to its website, is an organization that helps further civil rights causes by creating a platform and helping organize and publicize events.

The news release said the goal of The People’s Public Forum is to discuss the roles and duties of law enforcement and allow people to ask questions.

The forum will include Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards as well as representatives from the Tacoma Police Department and Tacoma Fire Department, according to the release.

Kelly Blasko, media relations coordinator for LegallyBLACK, said additional speakers at the event will be City Council member Catherine Ushka; City Council member Marty Campbell; former Pierce County Council member Tim Farrell and Korbett Moseley, former policy analyst for the City of Tacoma and member of the Pierce County Black Collective.

The idea for The People’s Public began with Juneteenth commitments to create policing reforms.

LegallyBLACK defines those law enforcement reforms in the press release as:

▪ Implementing mandatory body cameras.

▪ Overturning qualified immunity.

▪ Following #8CantWait standards. #8CantWait is a set of eight policies to reduce harm and killings during policing.

▪ Expanding and continuing mandatory training.

▪ Requesting public release of police misconduct reports.

LegallyBLACK said in the release there will be limited in-person space at the forum. However, the event will be livestreamed on LegallyBLACK’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

This story was originally published July 11, 2020 at 8:00 AM.