City of Richmond
prodamation
Proclamation by City of Richmond
Monoring the Memory of Richard "edie" Pere JJJ and the Sanctity of Life #hereas on this solemn occasion, we gather as a community to remember and reflect upon the tragic loss of Richard Pedro "Pedie" Perez III, the only child of his parents, who was taken from us nine years ago on September 14, 2014; and
Whereas the City of Richmond acknowledges the profound grief and ongoing pain of the Perez tamily and friends, who have endured a heartbreaking loss that has deeply affected our community; and
Whereas the untimely and unjust death of Richard "Pedie" Perez III serves as an indictment of the excessive force employed too often by law enforcement, a practice that particularly jeopardizes the lives of unarmed individuals of color, undermining the fundamental principles of safety, respect, and dignity that should be inherent in every community interaction; and Whereas, Richard "Pedie" Perez IlI's memory will forever be cherished as a reminder that every life should be protected by any and all means; and #hereas, we commend and acknowledge the unwavering dedication and tireless efforts of Richard "Pedie" Perez Ill's parents and grandparents who, in the face of immeasurable grief, have tirelessly worked to bring about positive change, advocating for a) AB 1506 "Officer-Involved Shooting Investigations and Review" which requires the California Department of Justice to investigate all incidents of an officer-involved shooting resulting in the death of an unarmed civilian in the state b) SB 1421 legislation, "Peace Officers: Release of Records", to allow public access to police misconduct records, ensuring transparency and accountability in law enforcement practices throughout California, c) AB 392 legislation, "California Act to Save Lives" that effectively updates California's legal standard governing when force can be used, d) SB 2 legislation, "Police Decertification Act" that creates the Peace Officer Standards Accountability Division and allows for suspension or revocation of a police officer's certification based on serious misconduct, and e) Ordinance No. 29-20 N.S. of the City of Richmond Amended Chapter
3.54 of the Richmond Municipal Code entitled "Community Police Review Commission" to foster increased accountability, improve police- community relations, and promote transparency within the City of Richmond; and
Whereas the City of Richmond acknowledges the importance of remembering and learning from the past as we strive to improve our present and future; Whereas the City of Richmond is committed to the principles of justice, transparency, and community trust, acknowledging the challenges and complexities of such incidents and recognizing the imperative for reconciliation and healing; and
Whereas we bear witness to and honor the unyielding commitment of Richard "Pedie" Perez Ill's parents, who are ceaselessly working to ensure that their cherished son's memory is not only preserved but also becomes a stark symbol of the dire need for comprehensive, empathetic, and responsible police training —- a training that unequivocally upholds the sanctity of life, and relentlessly pledges to value it in every interaction, thereby challenging and rectifying the prevailing culture of police impunity and violence; anc
Whereas, we take note of the Richmond Police Department's decision to incorporate Richard "Pedie" Perez III's story into its Cultural Compatibility training for new officers, highlighting the non-negotiable duty to practice empathy, de-escalation, and utmost respect for the sanctity of human life — a commitment that should be a foundational element of their roles, not an Mayor Eduardo Martinez, on behalf of the City of Richmond hereby Therefore, 3 declare September 14th, 2023, as a day of remembrance for Richard "Pedie" Perez III. On this day, we stand united in remembrance, reconciliation, and a collective commitment to ensuring that the lessons from the tragic loss of Richard "Pedie" Perez Ill be fully utilized in preventing such incidents in the future. We urge all residents to reflect on the sanctity of life, values of justice, compassion, and community unity.
Let us honor Pedie's memory through actions that foster understanding lealing, and reconciliation, and renew our dedication to the pursuit of Mayor Eduardo Martinez
City of Richmond
September 19, 2023
Councilmember Soheila Bana Councilmember Melvin Willis
District 4 District 1
City of Richmond City of Richmond
September 19, 2023 September 19, 2023