Cardin: Ferguson shooting proves need for racial profiling bill

Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) called on Congress to pass his bill that aims to end racial profiling after an unarmed black teenager was shot and killed in Ferguson, Mo.

“This cycle of needlessly sacrificing our teens to violent ends must end,” Cardin said Friday. “Congress should take up and pass my bill, the End Racial Profiling Act [S. 1038].”

{mosads}Cardin’s bill would support programs to educate law enforcement officials in the differences between suspect descriptions and racial profiling.

“Racial profiling is un-American. It has no place within the values of our country,” Cardin said. “As far too many of our communities have learned, people can be hurt.”

The death of 18-year-old Michael Brown, who was killed by a police officer in a street confrontation, has rocked the community of Ferguson, Mo., and stirred political debate around the country.

The Department of Justice has said it will investigate the incident. Cardin called on Attorney General Eric Holder also to finalize rules on racial profiling to law enforcement.

“As Attorney General Holder moves forward with his investigation into the circumstances of Michael Brown’s death, I urge him to also finalize new guidance that would once and for all prohibit racial profiling by law enforcement officials,” Cardin said.

On Friday, police identified the shooter as officer Darren Wilson.