1. Copy text
2. Paste in email
3. Go to 8cantwait.org and select your city to see which of these policies they have or have not enacted, as well as your mayor's contact info.
4. Remove policies that don't apply to your city from your email.
5. Add your name and your city.
6. Send

Dear [Insert Mayor Name],

I am writing to urge you to enact the #8CantWait Use of Force policies. I live in [Insert City Name], in the [Insert Neighborhood Name] neighborhood. The #8CantWait policies are simple, common-sense and will make our community safer.

The following policies are currently NOT enacted in [Insert City Name] and must be immediately:

[Remove policies based on your city]

• Ban Chokeholds and Strangleholds (reduces police killings by 22%). The murder of George Floyd is an example of what can happen when these measures are allowed.

• Require Warning Before Shooting (reduces police killings by 5%). With more warnings, there will be less shootings.

• Require Exhausting Other Means Before Shooting (reduces police killings by 25%). Shooting at someone should be a last resort. Period.

• Require Comprehensive Reporting (reduces police killings by 25%). Why are we not requiring officers to report every time they point their gun at another human?

• Require De-Escalation (reduces police killings by 15%). Every step possible should be taken to de-escalate situations before using force.

• Duty to Intervene (reduces police killings by 9%). It should be the duty of all officers to intervene to stop another officer from using excessive force - how can we claim they have a duty to protect and serve, and not protect those subject to excessive force from their peers?

• Ban Shooting at Moving Vehicles (reduces police killings by 8%). We are endangering the lives of those in the car, as well as those around by allowing this. A car doesn't stop moving once the driver is killed.

• Require Use of Force Continuum (reduces police killings by 19%). Levels of force should be used only for the most extreme situations. Only 5% of crimes in this country are violent crimes, why are we treating them all the same?

[Insert City Name] has enacted the other [insert number of 8 policies enacted] #8CantWait policies, and data proves that these eight policies can decrease police violence by 72%. Please commit to these other [insert number of policies needed] policies today. These changes can be made in a matter of days, and you have the power to make them. There is no valid argument against any of these policies. Make this city one we are proud to call ours.