Police Do Not Make us Safe

George Floyd was a Houstonian moved to Minneapolis, a graduate of Jack Yates High School, and he should still be with us. Not a single person should die at the hands of the police. In 2020, 400 people have been killed by police. Police do not make us safe. Instead, police enforce white supremacy through anti-Black violence and oppression.

Since George Floyd's murder, police in Minneapolis have killed a protestor, tear gassed community members, and turned community grief and demonstrations into violence. This violence is on them, not demonstrators and organizers. Police enter situations and escalate them; they do not prevent violence, but create it.

Police training does not make us safe. "Community policing" does not make us safe. Video documentation of police, through body cameras and bystander footage, does not make us safe and does not mean justice will automatically arrive.

We have to fight for justice, not expect it as a matter of fact from white supremacist institutions. For George Floyd, Adrian Medearis, killed by Houston police on May 8, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Eric Garner, and all who are killed by police without international attention.

We follow our comrades in Twin Cities DSA as they uplift community organizers in Minneapolis and the reality on the ground. Here are actions you can take, both remotely and locally.

1. Call Minneapolis mayor James Frey and tell him to defund the police. Municipal money must be spent on housing, healthcare, schools, and services—not the police, who murder and terrorize community members and escalate violence, not prevent it.

James Frey's personal number: 612-968-4443

Mayor's office number: 612-673-2100

This demand is from Minneapolis's Reclaim the Block coalition. Read more and share their Instagram post widely.

2. Join BLM HOU at Discovery Green on Friday at 2pm for a socially-distanced rally. Wear a mask. Invite your friends to come or just invite them on Facebook.

3. Consider donating to the Minnesota Freedom Fund (a community bond fund), North Star Health Collective, Black Visions MN, Reclaim the Block, or Unicorn Riot. These community organizations are recommended by Twin Cities DSA.

4. Read this thread on what you can do instead of calling the cops.

5. Read this FAQ zine on building a police free future, from organizers in Minneapolis. https://www.mpd150.com/wp-content/themes/mpd150/assets/faq_zine.pdf

6. Explore the study guide from A World Without Police.