There is the possibility of good news from Ohio for advocates seeking to eliminate qualified immunity, making it easier to sue police officers for their violation of a citizen’s constitutional rights.
This is a subject the AmNews has followed with considerable interest and joined the outrage about an invisible shield that allows police officers and government officials to be protected for their abuses.
Four years ago, Damaso Reyes and I published a three-part series that examined both the history and various steps then currently to end the measure. I am glad to see that a citizens’ proposal to end qualified immunity in Ohio is moving forward through the state’s ballot initiative process.
Related: OP-ED: There will be blood!
A few days ago, the Supreme Court ruled against Ohio’s Attorney General Dave Yost, effectively ending a two-year freeze on the proposal to change the state constitution, thereby making it easier to sue police officers.
Since 2023, Yost has repeatedly denied certifying summary language of the proposed amendment, saying that the language was not “fair and truthful.”
The Sixth Circuit of Appeals found Yost “most likely violated the First Amendment by blocking citizens from petitioning their government.”
On Tuesday, April 29, depending on the outcome of a decision by the Ohio Ballot Board, the organizers can begin collecting the 413,000 signatures needed to place the proposal on a statewide ballot.
What’s needed to give this initiative ballast is for other citizens in other states to organize and present their proposals.
The citizens in Ohio have presented their blueprint for change and if it gets support it should fuel and inspire others to join these significant steps.
Ultimately, it will take massive footprints to upend what has become an ironclad protection for officers and government officials who abuse with impunity.