Okay, I've seen a number of people on social media share this #8cantwait campaign. I wanted to put my thoughts (and those of others) together to explain why this campaign is a bad idea.
I want to first start by addressing each of the 8 policies.
(Bear with me, thread follows)
I want to first start by addressing each of the 8 policies.
(Bear with me, thread follows)
1. Ban chokeholds and strangleholds
Banning things with the police does not work. NYPD banned chokeholds and still used one on Eric Garner. The officer who killed him was never indicted on any charges.
Banning things with the police does not work. NYPD banned chokeholds and still used one on Eric Garner. The officer who killed him was never indicted on any charges.
2. Require de-escalation
Every single policy that requires de-escalation has an exceptional circumstances provision that allows officers to escalate force. The legal threshold for deadly force is whether an officer feared for their life, which does *not* require de-escalation.
Every single policy that requires de-escalation has an exceptional circumstances provision that allows officers to escalate force. The legal threshold for deadly force is whether an officer feared for their life, which does *not* require de-escalation.
"I thought I was going to die" is a common phrase that cops involved in killings now say, including the one who shot Philando Castile in his vehicle.
theundefeated.com/features/the-w…
theundefeated.com/features/the-w…
3. Require warning before shooting
Insulting. How would a warning stop a shooting?
This is already implemented by 62% of PDs (per the campaign's study). If we're addressing a problem of widespread police violence today, why are we proposing policy that's already widespread?
Insulting. How would a warning stop a shooting?
This is already implemented by 62% of PDs (per the campaign's study). If we're addressing a problem of widespread police violence today, why are we proposing policy that's already widespread?
4. Exhaust all other means before shootings
Again, exhaustion requirements have huge loopholes. For instance, if force that will likely result in great bodily injury is presented by an offender, a cop can scale up to full lethal force without having to go through "other means."
Again, exhaustion requirements have huge loopholes. For instance, if force that will likely result in great bodily injury is presented by an offender, a cop can scale up to full lethal force without having to go through "other means."
5. Duty to intervene
This is ineffective. Chicago PD had this policy for years, with hundreds of cases of use of force and *zero* officers having ever intervened. Not once.
Also, this was already adopted by Minneapolis when 3 officers stood by and watched George Floyd die.
This is ineffective. Chicago PD had this policy for years, with hundreds of cases of use of force and *zero* officers having ever intervened. Not once.
Also, this was already adopted by Minneapolis when 3 officers stood by and watched George Floyd die.
6. Ban shooting at moving vehicles
Many PDs have this policy, but this feels like smokes and mirrors. No major police killings in recent years involve shooting at moving vehicles. Philando Castille was murdered in his vehicle that was standing still.
Many PDs have this policy, but this feels like smokes and mirrors. No major police killings in recent years involve shooting at moving vehicles. Philando Castille was murdered in his vehicle that was standing still.
7. Require a use-of-force continuum
This is already implemented by 85% of PDs (per the study behind this campaign). Again, if we are addressing a problem of widespread police violence today, why are we proposing policy that's already widespread?
This is already implemented by 85% of PDs (per the study behind this campaign). Again, if we are addressing a problem of widespread police violence today, why are we proposing policy that's already widespread?
Additionally, the use-of-force continuum *expands* the arsenal of options that officers have at their disposal, meaning they can use force with even more impunity because they can explore even more options.
8. Require comprehensive reporting
We know that the police doesn't report all crimes, including rapes and murders. Expecting them to report on all force is ridiculous. Even if they did, why does it help us? People were killed/brutalized, but no worries, the cops reported it?
We know that the police doesn't report all crimes, including rapes and murders. Expecting them to report on all force is ridiculous. Even if they did, why does it help us? People were killed/brutalized, but no worries, the cops reported it?
Lastly, I have some issues with the campaign as a whole, based on (1) the claims it makes, (2) its focus, and (3) the moral stance it's asking us to take.
(1) Claims:
The 72% number is a very catchy one (and its framing I would argue allows for the potential that PDs implement these policies then wash their hands from any further accountability or change). However, it comes from a study for which the methodology seems to be flawed.
The 72% number is a very catchy one (and its framing I would argue allows for the potential that PDs implement these policies then wash their hands from any further accountability or change). However, it comes from a study for which the methodology seems to be flawed.
The 72% number would *only* apply to PDs going from 0 to all 8, (which the study admits that it wouldn't be the case of most PDs who already have some of those policies so taunting this number is fallacious).
Other critiques:
Other critiques:
https://twitter.com/EmmaCaterineDSA/status/1268565474348093441
(2) Focus:
At best, these are at best superficial, cosmetic reforms. We know that many of these policies have been implemented across the country. It has not solved the systemic problem of police brutality.
At best, these are at best superficial, cosmetic reforms. We know that many of these policies have been implemented across the country. It has not solved the systemic problem of police brutality.
None will stop the police from (1) finding loopholes or workarounds to keep brutalizing people, or (2) continuing business as usual because we know all too well that the police has never stopped doing something because it's unlawful.
At worst, they dilute demands that would actually contribute to systemic changes with regards to policing, and in my opinion, co-opt the energy and urgency of this moment. I question whether they should be the focus of our efforts right now.
We're on the cusp of an important moment in this fight and should *only* settle on what:
- Reduces funding to the police
- Challenges the notion that police increases safety
- Reduces the tools, tactics, and technology police have at their disposal
- Reduces the scale of policing
- Reduces funding to the police
- Challenges the notion that police increases safety
- Reduces the tools, tactics, and technology police have at their disposal
- Reduces the scale of policing
(3) Moral stance:
But the most important point of all, that I want you to sit with. Even if the study was iron-clad, and everything went as perfectly as predicted: are we okay with the remaining 28% of police killings to continue?
But the most important point of all, that I want you to sit with. Even if the study was iron-clad, and everything went as perfectly as predicted: are we okay with the remaining 28% of police killings to continue?
Case in point: San Francisco PD has all 8 of those policies. It didn't stop officers from shooting someone seven times last December. Are we okay with that death? Because that person wasn't choked? Because that person was warned before they were shot? By seven different bullets?
Are we pushing for preferred ways to die? Do we think pushing for some people dying versus others not is a conscionable demand?
TL;DR
#8CantWait vs. #AbolishthePolice*
The former takes for granted that the problem is how policing is executed, the latter assumes the problem is policing itself.
The former regulates the police, the latter reduces the police.
*or defund, dismantle, disband, disarm, etc.
#8CantWait vs. #AbolishthePolice*
The former takes for granted that the problem is how policing is executed, the latter assumes the problem is policing itself.
The former regulates the police, the latter reduces the police.
*or defund, dismantle, disband, disarm, etc.
In practice they may not be mutually exclusive, but which demand do we want to prioritize right now, with a massive uprising on our hands?
What we know so far is that incrementalism has been tried over and over with no success. Should we avoid big change just because it's scary?
What we know so far is that incrementalism has been tried over and over with no success. Should we avoid big change just because it's scary?
This thread blew up.
Obligatory note: none of these are my own ideas. They're informed by the work of critical thinkers and abolitionists that I've been following for years. I urge you to read the writings of Mariame Kaba, Ruth Wilson Gilmore, Alex Vitale, Angela Davis, etc.
Obligatory note: none of these are my own ideas. They're informed by the work of critical thinkers and abolitionists that I've been following for years. I urge you to read the writings of Mariame Kaba, Ruth Wilson Gilmore, Alex Vitale, Angela Davis, etc.
I urge everyone to look at this chart by @C_Resistance:
In it, I think two things are worth highlighting.
First, a set of criteria to assess whether demands are reformist vs. actually lead to the larger goal of police defunding and abolition
https://twitter.com/C_Resistance/status/1268712313634209794
In it, I think two things are worth highlighting.
First, a set of criteria to assess whether demands are reformist vs. actually lead to the larger goal of police defunding and abolition
Do these demand...
- Reduce funding to the police?
- Challenge the notion that police increases safety?
- Reduce the tools, tactics, and technology police have at their disposal?
- Reduce the scale of policing?
- Reduce funding to the police?
- Challenge the notion that police increases safety?
- Reduce the tools, tactics, and technology police have at their disposal?
- Reduce the scale of policing?
Second, in response to critiques that #AbolishThePolice is unrealistic, it provides a number of clear, feasible, immediate reforms:
- Suspend the use of administrative leave for cops under investigation
- Withhold pensions and not rehire cops involved in excessive force
- Suspend the use of administrative leave for cops under investigation
- Withhold pensions and not rehire cops involved in excessive force
- Require cops to be liable for misconduct settlements
- Cap overtime accrual/pay for military exercises
- Withdraw participation in police militarization programs
- Prioritize spending on community health, education, affordable housing
- Reduce the size of the police force
- Cap overtime accrual/pay for military exercises
- Withdraw participation in police militarization programs
- Prioritize spending on community health, education, affordable housing
- Reduce the size of the police force
Taking a break from Twitter and won't be responding to mentions/DMs after receiving too many hateful messages.
For Black voices critiquing #8canwait, please see:
instagram.com/p/CBDrwcYjPB5/
instagram.com/p/CBEHGmpjum-/
And many more.
For Black voices critiquing #8canwait, please see:
https://twitter.com/eveewing/status/1269285798601523202
https://twitter.com/DwayneDavidPaul/status/1268898572914884610
instagram.com/p/CBDrwcYjPB5/
instagram.com/p/CBEHGmpjum-/
And many more.
By way of update, please read:
Brittany N. Packnett Cunningham's decision to leave Campaign Zero:
Samuel Sinyangwe's statement:
Brittany N. Packnett Cunningham's decision to leave Campaign Zero:
https://twitter.com/MsPackyetti/status/1270534642156949505
Samuel Sinyangwe's statement:
https://twitter.com/samswey/status/1270538875283398656
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