NEW: A coalition of grassroots & racial justice orgs fighting to dismantle 94 Crime Bill just sent this letter to @SpeakerPelosi, urging Congress once again to stop fueling nation’s policing, criminalization, and incarceration crises through funding allocations. 
Were Congress to continue funding policing,
particularly at levels it's considering this appropriations period, it would represent a staggering & unforgiveable undermining of #DefendBlackLives & #DefundPolice movement and the needs of communities nationwide during this pandemic.
particularly at levels it's considering this appropriations period, it would represent a staggering & unforgiveable undermining of #DefendBlackLives & #DefundPolice movement and the needs of communities nationwide during this pandemic.
It would be unconscionable for Congress to ignore and ultimately reject the central tenet of the largest social movement in U.S. history if it were to now send hundreds of millions of dollars to reinforce police budgets, police power, and police departments’ violent behavior.
We are also deeply concerned about the likelihood that Trump and Barr will utilize COPS Office funding to not only escalate violent crack down on protected protest, but to intimidate and suppress the vote in the November election. #DefundCOPS
The events in Portland and the threats being levied towards other U.S. cities have made clear the
true intent of Trump and Barr's Operations Relentless Pursuit and Operation LeGend: to quiet opposition and stifle democracy itself.
true intent of Trump and Barr's Operations Relentless Pursuit and Operation LeGend: to quiet opposition and stifle democracy itself.
Congress should focus on fully funding & extending critical initiatives such as unemployment insurance, rental assistance, resources for COVID-19 testing, state/local financial support, community safety alternatives, and preparations for a safe return to school for our children.
Sending massive resources to already bloated local police forces or to Trump and Barr’s handpicked paramilitary forces at this moment, would be disastrous for
public safety, public health, and for our democracy.
public safety, public health, and for our democracy.
IMPORTANT: Tell your member of Congress tonight and tomorrow to support this amendment from @AOC @RepTedLieu @RashidaTlaib @Deb4CongressNM that would reign in Barr and Trump from being able to use funds for their authoritarian paramilitary operations.
Local elected officials, whose primary responsibility is the safety & well-being of constituents, are also calling for #DefundCOPS -- a demand on Congress to shift federal resources away from policing and towards community safety alternatives.
