no tasers for the police

We are concerned about the misuse & overuse of tasers on racial minorities and political dissenters and the record of taser related deaths. 64% of the people shot with Tasers in Champaign County in 2004 were Black. Tasers are considered "non-lethal," but have been the cause of 150 deaths across the United States according to a report by Amnesty International. Here locally, a rogue officer has been found using a taser on several individuals in the jail, including one pregnant African American woman.

Tasers are controversial weapons that can propel two tiny fish hook darts up to 21-feet away that, when attached to a victim, deliver a 50,000-volt shock for five seconds that causes excruciating pain and renders the victim helpless and immobile.

Currently Champaign County and Rantoul police have tasers. Champaign police sought tasers, but the Chief and City Manager withdrew the request after public outcry. Urbana is not seeking tasers although many officers want them. When Champaign and Urbana police want to use a taser, they call County officers to the scene, so they effectively have them at their disposal. This is why they need to be eliminated from the county.

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