Baltimore County Police Reform Rally Planned

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — A police reform rally in Towson this week will bring together people calling for a change in policing in Baltimore County. Councilman Julian Jones, whose district includes Owings Mills, helped promote the event as the County Council considers legislation to transform policing in Baltimore County.

The proposed bill would prohibit chokeholds, require police to keep a database of police-involved shootings and include more measures to increase accountability, according to Jones.

"Like many of you, I have viewed the murder of George Floyd in absolute disgust," Jones sad.

Since the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis on Memorial Day, protests have swept the nation, with calls for increased accountability within police departments or an end to police altogether.

"Within the past several weeks, I have worked closely with our Council Attorney to introduce comprehensive legislation that I believe will effectively combat police brutality and the factors that play a major part in continuing these occurrences," Jones said.

"The behavior of the four police officers was another example of irresponsible actions, not proper policing!" Jones said of the officers who looked on as Floyd died in police custody in May. These incidents must come to an end."

Originally the rally for police reform was slated for 3 p.m. Monday. However, on Monday morning, Jones said the police reform rally was postponed to Thursday due to the forecast.

There's a 60 percent chance of rain in Towson Monday, with temperatures peaking around 92 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

The Baltimore County Police Reform Rally will be at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 9, at Patriot Plaza, 401 Bosley Avenue, Towson.