Dakarai Larriett: Defending Life, Demanding Justice—Why Alabama Needs Police Accountability Now

When we speak of the right to life, we recognize it as a political or moral call. But to me—and to so many in Alabama it is very personal. I am Dakarai Larriett, the Democratic candidate for the Senate, and I've lived the fear of being pulled over by the police for no real reason. I've lived the icy handcuffs on my wrists for a crime I didn't commit. I've lived what it is like to be regarded as a threat, not as a human.
That experience did not destroy my life, it shaped the person I am today. It started my life's calling to advocate for safety, justice, and fairness for everyone in our state. Keeping folks safe isn't about what we think, it's about what we do. And today, Alabama is going down a perilous path.
This is how protecting life has to be in Alabama:
Abolishing or reforming qualified immunity to allow victims of police misconduct to obtain justice.
Independent police shooting and misconduct investigations not internal affairs reviews.
Mandatory bodycam usage with public release of footage within a clear timeline.
Statewide use-of-force policy grounded in de-escalation, restraint, and human rights.
Implicit bias training, mental health training, and community policing training because public safety is about empathy, not fear.
These are not anti-police policies. They empower the community, empower life, and empower accountability. Good police officers benefit from systems that build trust. Bad actors don't need to be shielded by laws that prioritize power over people.
A Safer Alabama Can Happen
We've seen the models that succeed. Birmingham's Mayor Randall Woodfin's Crime Reduction Plan is a perfect example. Interventions like Focused Deterrence and Community Violence Intervention are reducing violence not through fear, but through help and opportunities.
We have to spend money on education, mental health services, job training, and youth programs more than on more jails and special legal safeguards. The roots of violence are not at crime scenes. They are in poverty, desperation, and abandonment. That is where we must begin the search for solutions.
Immigration, Fear, and the Alabama We Deserve
We must respect our immigrants. The Gulf Shores raid at a construction site where more than 30 undocumented workers were rounded up without consulting local leaders was a chilling warning. These workers were not criminals. They were builders, neighbors, and parents caught up in a system more concerned with punishment than justice.
As a Black man from Alabama, I know what it is like to be seen as a problem before being seen as a person. That is why I believe we need comprehensive immigration reform that honors dignity, keeps families together, and constructs legal paths to citizenship
This is a movement campaign
Let me be clear: I’m not running for Senate to just be a senator. I’m running to rewrite the rules—so Alabama works for all of us, not just the wealthy and the powerful. So that children like Jabari Peoples can live long, full lives. So that immigrants can work without fear. So that traffic stops aren’t deadly.
This is a movement for justice, compassion, and accountability. The 2026 Senate race in Alabama is about more than politics; it's about life and death, fairness and fear, silence and voice.
This is our moment to say no more to “Back the Blue” bills like HB202. It’s our moment to say yes to transparency, real reform, and leadership that reflects our shared values.
Let’s defend the right to life not just with slogans, but with legislation, courage, and a vision for the future.
If you're interested in a safer, fairer, and more loving Alabama, I invite you to join this fight. Visit https://dakarailarriett.com, volunteer, spread the word, and help us build a future where justice isn’t just a concept—it’s the way we live.
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Dakarai Larriett
Dakarai Larriett
Innovative pet care brand founded by Dakarai Larriett, blending quality, compassion, and convenience. Built from the ground up to serve modern pet owners with trusted products and a deep commitment to community values.