In a petition to the president that appeared in the Washington Post on Monday, more than 125 writers, artists, educators, lawmakers, and union and political group leaders are asking the Obama administration to take a hard look at racial biases in policing in light of the killing of Michael Brown:

In cities across America, local law enforcement units too often treat low-income neighborhoods populated by African Americans and Latinos as if they are military combat zones instead of communities where people strive to live, learn, work, play and pray in peace and harmony. Youth of color, black boys and men especially, who should be growing up in supportive, affirming environments are instead presumed to be criminals and relentlessly subjected to aggressive police tactics that result in unnecessary fear, arrests, injuries, and deaths.

The letter outlines steps to train law enforcement and to diversify, demilitarize and hold police departments accountable. It also calls for the establishment of a national commission to review current policies and provide solutions–as well as for the appointment of a federal czar to oversee the "implementation of equitable policing."

You can read the petition in full over at the Washington Post.