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. 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.

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.

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 read MoveOn's open letter to all elected officials and candidates on our website—and then click here to add your name to the petition.

Sources:

1. "Open Letter by MoveOn re: police associations," MoveOn, June 23, 2020
https://act.moveon.org/go/140706?t=19&akid=267147%2E40999114%2EFaUG4T

2. "Seattle police union expelled from large labor group," Associated Press, June 18, 2020
https://act.moveon.org/go/140705?t=21&akid=267147%2E40999114%2EFaUG4T

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