Dr. Robbie Goldstein joins Ayanna Pressely, Elizabeth Warren, Rachel Rollins in Push for Anti-Brutality Legislation

Jun 2, 2020

Dr. Robbie Goldstein, a Boston-based doctor running for Congress in the 8th Congressional District, joined Violence in Boston Inc., in a survivor-led conversation to demand the passing of three important pieces of legislation in the wake of the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. 

Eric Garner Anti-chokehold Act (Senate Bill S6670A), Stephon Clark’s Law (Assembly Bill 392), and the Andrew Kearse Act (Assembly Bill A11378A) seek to outlaw the chokehold restraint that killed Eric Garner, redefine the circumstances under which a homicide by a peace officer is deemed justifiable, and would impose criminal liability for the failure to obtain medical care for a person in custody displaying medical distress, respectively.

The event was attended by surviving family members of Eric Garner, Andrew Kearse, Sandra Bland, and Stephon Clark. Supporters of the legislation such as Senator Elizabeth Warren, Representative Ayanna Pressley, Suffolk District Attorney Rachael Rollins, and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand were also in attendance. 

“As a physician, I see every day the ways that bigotry, systemic violence, and structural racism make it harder for people of color to live safe and healthy lives,” Goldstein said. “I support this legislation because violence and brutality against Black Americans must be stopped. I stand with survivors and protestors who just want to be able to live and enjoy public spaces without the fear of violence and death. It is the role of us who hold privilege and power to amplify the voices of those closest to the pain, and to refuse to back down or stop working actively for equity and justice. Allyship isn’t silent, and it isn’t passive.”