Thread by @kurteichenwald

This "defund police" stuff is so divisive, so self-destructive, costs so much support, & takes so much attention away from the issue - racism in America - that it will unquestionably be joined by people trying to undermine this movement. When I was attacked in 2016, who would../1

...I have called? When I was robbed of my belongings in 1986, who would I call? When I was raped in 1984 (if I had been willing to call) who would I have called? When there are no police, who will open stores in crime-ridden areas where poor people need groceries?.../2

...again, it is SO destructive of the uprising against racism in America that I must wonder if this is white upper middle class kids hijacking this effort from African Americans who suffer from systemic racism - the REAL issue. If I'm right, white kids - shut up. Join this.../3

...movement, yes. But African American communities are the leaders, not you. They set the agenda, not you. The phrase is "Black Lives Matter" not "Defund the Police."

Again, if Im right, you're hijacking of this - putting YOUR issues first - is just another form of racism.../4

...and if you say "Well, that's not what it means" chants don't come with footnotes. If you have to explain that the words dont actually mean what the words mean, you lose. If you have to say "let me explain" you lose.

Reform the police. Demilitarize the Police. Train the.../5

...police, a million different things the police. But if you use a phrase with a specific meaning, don't expect people not to hear that meaning.

You want a chant? Try "Black Lives Matter." Show solidarity. Not nonsense. Not something that requires footnotes to understand.
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