Photo: Sarah-Ji/@loveandstrugglephotos

Dear John,

As people across the country joined Black Lives Matter protests in the wake of the police murder of George Floyd, many were met with violence by local police forces equipped with riot gear, tear gas, and armored vehicles. The brutality faced by protesters drew nationwide attention to how the militarization of police makes our communities less safe—and diverts resources from education, health care, and other vital programs. The disconnect between the things we invest in and the things we need, both within the U.S. and in our engagement with the world, is clear.  

Tell Congress: It’s time to divest from militarized approaches and invest in our communities!

Right now, Congress is debating the “National Defense Authorization Act,” a bill passed every year to authorize Department of Defense (DoD) spending, including hundreds of billions of dollars in weapons purchases and a program that transfers military “surplus” to domestic police departments. In addition to taking steps to significantly cut bloated military spending overall, it’s imperative that Congress include provisions in this year’s bill to end the DoD’s role in militarizing domestic police.

It is clear that real security comes not from militarized approaches but investment in shared well-being, and Congress must act now to: 

• End the federal 1033 Program, which has transferred billions of dollars of surplus military gear to local police departments and immigration enforcement agencies, resulting in the increased use of violent force by police.

• Cut 10% of the Pentagon budget, and directly reinvest that money in education, health care, housing, and other programs that truly keep our communities safe.
   

Tell Congress: Stop spending our tax dollars on war and police militarization!

Shifting federal spending to the things that provide real security at this time of unprecedented crisis—and ending federal programs that provide military weaponry to local police departments—has never been more essential. It’s time that Congress stop investing in militarized solutions to conflict and start investing in our communities.  

In solidarity, 

Tori Bateman
Public Policy Advocacy Coordinator
American Friends Service Committee