On February 23, 2026, civil rights activists in Louisiana gathered at the state capitol to demand reforms to police oversight and accountability measures. The group, led by the Louisiana Civil Rights Coalition, presented a petition with thousands of signatures calling for transparency and accountability in law enforcement practices.The petition comes in the wake of several high-profile cases of police violence in the state, including the recent shooting of an unarmed black man in Baton Rouge. The incident sparked widespread outrage and renewed calls for police reform."We cannot continue to turn a blind eye to the systemic issues within our police departments," said Sylvia Johnson, a spokesperson for the coalition. "It is imperative that we implement meaningful reforms to ensure that all Louisianans are treated fairly and with respect by law enforcement."The petition includes several key demands, including the establishment of an independent oversight board to investigate cases of police misconduct, the implementation of body cameras for all officers, and mandatory de-escalation training for law enforcement personnel."We are not anti-police, we are pro-accountability," said Johnson. "We recognize the difficult and important work that law enforcement officers do, but we also believe that they must be held to the highest standards of conduct."The petition will now be submitted to state lawmakers for consideration. The coalition is hopeful that the widespread support for their cause will lead to meaningful reforms in police oversight and accountability in Louisiana.In response to the petition, a spokesperson for the Louisiana State Police issued a statement saying, "We take these concerns very seriously and are committed to working with the community to address them. We believe that transparency and accountability are essential to building trust between law enforcement and the communities we serve."The Louisiana Civil Rights Coalition plans to continue advocating for police reform and will be organizing future events and demonstrations to raise awareness about the need for meaningful change in the state's law enforcement practices.