OIM: Investigation of Richard Lee Johnson

Today, as I watched Monitor Glass's Press Conference on the in custody death of Richard Lee Johnson I have the echos of people demanding that we defund the Office of the Independent Monitor. I wonder how those people feel at this moment?

This office has been contentious and under profound funding threat for years. I've always supported the OIM and this is why. 

We are, yet again, in a moral inflection point. Do we actually believe that all of our residents and visitors deserve dignity? Do we truly hold the progressive values we purport to believe? Will we look this in it's face and do the work that we need to do in order to live up to our values?

Watching and reading the report broke my heart and sickened me for his family, all of those who knew him and those of us who understand that when dignity is negotiated by those in whom we are asked to trust, none of us can truly be safe.

The importance of this office has just been Substantiated. What will we do? I for one will be fighting for the dignity and protection of all of those who step foot in Madison, especially our black community. I hope that you will all join me.