Some Lawmakers are Calling for Truth Commissions on Racial Violence. How do These Work?

June 10, 2020

This story was originally published in the Washington Post on June 9, 2020.

Black Lives Matter protesters across the United States are demanding accountability for the May 25 death of George Floyd in police custody. Floyd’s death is one in a recent slew of killings of unarmed black Americans, a list that includes Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Nina Pop and Tony McDade. Police violence toward protesters last week amplified calls for U.S. leaders and institutions to confront structural racism and anti-black violence.