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Dear John,
Portland. Minneapolis. Chicago. Aurora. New York City. Detroit. Milwaukee. Cleveland. The list is seemingly endless. In these cities, we’ve heard an echoing rally cry, a demand from our people who are gathering in the streets day in and day out, calling for one thing … justice. Not only are we calling for an end to police brutality, violence, and harm but we won’t settle for anything less than a world where we can re-imagine what public safety looks like -- one where we aren’t forced to live in fear of state-sanctioned violence.
And we need your help to fund a movement that puts the power in the hands of our communities because we know best how to achieve a better and more safe world for our friends, families, and those who are most vulnerable.
Yes, I want to protect my people against state-sanctioned violence. I'll chip-in $10 monthly.
With each day that passes the attacks against our people grow. In both New York and Portland protesters are being violently attacked and arrested by federal and local police officers dressed in plain clothes, driving unmarked vehicles.1 And just a few days ago Trump announced that he was sending hundreds of federal law enforcement to Chicago, Albuquerque, and Kansas City.2 His hope? To ramp up arrests. Instead of offering solutions that would aid in the healing and rehabilitation of our communities most ravaged by police violence, Trump plans to add fuel to the fire. This is not a solution.
But it should come as no surprise because his response came at the request of several police union leaders, some of the strongest opponents to police reform, like John Catanzara, leader of the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police (FOP). Catanzara recently wrote a letter to Trump asking for help to fight the “chaos,” otherwise known as peaceful protestors demanding justice for Black lives.3 Time is of the essence. We must make it clear that more police is not a solution.
We know we’re in an uphill battle, John, but we don’t see that as a reason to stop fighting. Because we are fighting for an end to police in our schools, an alternative to police intervention in our homes and daily lives, solutions that center our well-being, mental and physical health rather than criminalize and devalue us. We don't want to see any more of our people strangled to death by police officers or murdered simply for being Black and in the wrong place at the wrong time. And our ability to ensure this world for Black people starts with your help. Together, we can get one step closer to building a better and safer world for our people -- let's get started.
Become a monthly sustainer today. Join us as we demand an end to police violence.
Until justice is real,
--Scott, Rashad, Arisha, Erika, Malachi, Marybeth, Madison, Leonard, Ernie, McKayla, and the rest of the Color Of Change team
References:
1. "After Woman's arrest in unmarked van, New York City Activists Fear Targeting By NYPD." The Appeal. https://act.colorofchange.org/go/257356?t=6&akid=44413%2E4731121%2EmivFs0
2. "Why Trump’s Latest Law-and-Order Ploy Is Likely to Fail." Mother Jones. https://act.colorofchange.org/go/257357?t=8&akid=44413%2E4731121%2EmivFs0
3. "Chicago police union wants Trump to intervene as video seems to show protesters throwing things at cops." Fox 32. https://act.colorofchange.org/go/257358?t=10&akid=44413%2E4731121%2EmivFs0
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