State Senator Michelle Ugenti-Rita Incites Violence

For Immediate Release

Contact: Jennifer Guzman, Jenny@ProgressNowArizona.org

Phoenix – On Friday, June 5th, Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita (LD-23 Scottsdale) made a Facebook post discussing her intentions to introduce a bill that would “expand the justification of the use of force in crime prevention.” The bill which Sen. Ugenti-Rita drafted would allow the use of force resulting in death, for defacing or damaging property. This bill would justify the killings of people by business owners for actions as simple as graffiti. 

“We are vehemently urging that Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita scrap this bill in its entirety and not introduce a bill like this, or any bill that justifies the cruel and unjust murder of people. We know that this type of bill that justifies murder and violence will disproportionately impact Black and Brown communities. During a time where the nation is grieving for George Floyd, Dion Johnson, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless other people who have been victims of racist police and civilian violence, it is repulsive that Sen. Ugenti-Rita would entertain the idea of justifying these types of murders even further. Property and products can be replaced, but Black and Brown lives cannot,” said Emily Kirkland, Executive Director of Progress Now Arizona.