Thread by @APTPaction

BREAKING: The Oakland City Council just voted to reallocate $18M from Oakland Police to violence prevention programs and mental health services.

Today we changed the course of direction for our city.

Here's our statement...

Since the murder of Oscar Grant at the Fruitvale BART station, APTP has fought to redefine public safety in the City of Oakland.

Today’s vote in support of @nikki4oakland's budget to cut police spending & fund crucial social services shows Oakland’s commitment as a...

... progressive city to support policies that actually keep us safe.

We applaud @nikki4oakland & @carroll_fife leadership in standing with the people of Oakland & pushing back against Schaaf’s blank check for OPD.

This historic budget ensures a comprehensive audit of the Oakland Police Department (this is so crucial for future reallocation) and a thorough examination of positions that could be civilianized, moved out of OPD, or a combination of the two.

While more work must be done to strengthen our public services, build affordable housing, and fund police alternative programs such as MACRO and MH First to ensure people who need help or are going through crises get the help that they need...

today, City Council gave much-needed hope to the organizers, mental health advocates, organizers, faith leaders, and working families across the city working to defund the police and invest in community.

By prioritizing issues like homeless services, housing, good jobs, parks & rec, & sanitation, Oakland is tackling the challenges that were exacerbated by the pandemic with a holistic, comprehensive approach, not libby's failed approach of reckless & unaccountable police spending.

Although cutting $18 m in police spending is a long way from the 50% the city promised, this is an important step in the right direction. This vote is an imp win for the movement to reallocate police resources & reinvest in the People of Oakland.

We will continue this effort to defund OPD until our campaign goals are met -- to defund the Oakland Police Department by 50% and reinvest in the community.

Thank you to everyone who got us this far, we've a long ways to go.

Ends.