Hi John,
I’m so inspired by the activists who, over the past couple of weeks, put together protests throughout the state. Because of their work and the demands for change from so many of you, our legislators proposed some initial measures for police oversight.
Now is the time to keep pushing for our demands and not selling ourselves short.
It’s time we reimagine public safety as a concept grounded in guaranteeing the health, education, and prosperity of the people. Here’s how we can do it:
- Cut police funding and invest that money in alternative programs, health, education, and social services
- Ban military gear for police (end the 1033 program and the 1122 program)
- Require stronger background checks to ensure that white supremacists aren’t infiltrating law enforcement
- Enforce standards that make sure cops who commit brutality are fired
- Establish a national database to guarantee that those cops who are dismissed cannot be hired elsewhere
- Ensure transparency & accountability through programs such as: Independent Community Review Boards, FOIA, a national violence incident database, & end qualified immunity
Since the beginning of this campaign, I’ve talked with local housing rights, education, and criminal justice advocates. And what I’ve heard most often is that we need to start funding social programs if we want safer, healthier communities.
Now is the time to elect representatives who will make it happen.
Jess
