As part of our work to advance Community Safety and Justice, PolicyLink is a proud member of the People’s Coalition for Safety and Freedom, working to decarcerate the United States and invest billions of dollars into the communities most impacted by policies of criminalization and incarceration. The coalition’s first goal is to dismantle the harmful provisions of the 1994 Crime Bill and replace them with a new federal Community Safety and Wellness Bill that will be developed through a People’s Process — sustained community engagement led by people directly impacted by the criminal legal system, including currently and formerly incarcerated people.
Through the COPS Program, Congress has funneled billions of dollars to states and cities to increase the presence of police officers in Black communities. The impact of the program has been devastating. Congress must not legitimize and pour more funding into racist, repressive, and ineffective public safety measures. Teach-in participants will learn about local and national efforts to defund the program, and how to get involved in the campaign to repeal and replace the legislation that funds the COPS Program — the 1994 Crime Bill.
Join a panel of experts from the following organizations:
Nashville People's Budget Coalition
BYP 100
National Council for Incarcerated & Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls