Dear MoveOn member,

Since 1960, the Fraternal Order of Police and other police associations
have by and large fought to block police accountability and policy changes
that would protect communities from police violence.

Each election cycle, police organizations associated with the Fraternal
Order of Police donate generously to officials and candidates across the
country—from local city councils to the president. These contributions buy
police associations political clout to avoid accountability for police
violence and help keep police department budgets overfunded, even now, at
a time when those funds would serve us best if invested in community
safety and support programs.

It's time to get the Fraternal Order of Police's harmful influence out of
our politics. Which is why MoveOn released a letter this week, calling on
all elected officials and candidates to stand on the right side of history
and refuse to take financial contributions and support from police
associations like the Fraternal Order of Police.^1

MoveOn's letter echoes the demand from our allies at Color of Change—and
you can add your own name to this fight. [ [link removed] ]Click here to sign Color of
Change's petition demanding that elected officials stop taking
contributions from police organizations associated with the Fraternal
Order of Police, and then read on.

Here are some of the reasons why we're asking officials to stop taking
their campaign cash: The Fraternal Order of Police and other police
associations have long rejected demands for transparency and
accountability. They oppose efforts to document racial profiling and track
complaints of use of excessive force by police oficers. They shut down
civilian review boards. They make it difficult to investigate misconduct
claims. They lobby to keep officers' disciplinary histories sealed. And
they make it almost impossible to get rid of police officers who break the
rules.

Recently, trade unions have come out to denounce police brutality, going
so far as to say that unions should never be used to shield police from
accountability for their misconduct. In fact, a large group of unions in
Seattle recently expelled the local police union from their council
because of the police union's unwillingness to address racism within their
ranks.^2

We entrust police officers with immense power. At stake are our safety,
freedom, and lives—and the rule of law. When police associations protect
officers who refuse to uphold the principles that we depend on them to
honor, we all lose.

[ [link removed] ]Will you sign Color of Change's petition calling on politicians to
reject donations from police organizations associated with the Fraternal
Order of Police and to encourage their fellow elected officials and
candidates for office to do the same?

2020 has been a very difficult year for our nation, with many crises
demanding our attention and participation. But this challenging time is
also a moment of great opportunity.

People nationwide have taken to the streets and the internet to amplify
long-standing calls for justice for Black people subjected to police
violence. Constituents and organizations across the country are demanding
that their elected officials and candidates running for office take clear
positions and act to keep our communities safe by holding police and
police associations accountable.

[ [link removed] ]By calling on our elected officials to reject campaign contributions
from police associations, we can increase the opportunities to make our
communities safer and our country more equitable and just.

Thanks for all you do.

–Mohammad, Elsie, Isbah, Chris, and the rest of the team

P.S. You can [ [link removed] ]read MoveOn's open letter to all elected officials and
candidates on our website—and then [ [link removed] ]click here to add your name to the
petition.

Sources:

1. "Open Letter by MoveOn re: police associations," MoveOn, June 23, 2020
[link removed]

2. "Seattle police union expelled from large labor group," Associated
Press, June 18, 2020
[link removed]

You're receiving this petition because we thought it might interest you.
It was created on MoveOn.org, where anyone can start their own online
petitions. You can [ [link removed] ]start your own petition here.




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more than ever. Will you stand with us?



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