John --
A few days ago, we emailed you about police foundations — private,
corporate-sponsored groups that enable cops to terrorize Black people.
Police foundations exist to supplement police budgets outside of public
oversight. They give cops weapons to “test” on Black and Brown
communities. And they’re funded by some of the largest corporations in the
world.
[ [link removed] ]John, sign our petition to tell corporations like Starbucks,
Target, and Coca-Cola: Divest from police foundations now.
If you've never heard of police foundations before, you’re not alone. They
exist in the shadows on purpose, pulling strings and funneling money to
cops behind closed doors. And that's one of the reasons why they're so
dangerous.
We know that sunlight is the best disinfectant — and corporations won’t
divest from policing unless their profits and reputations are at stake.
[ [link removed] ]That’s why we need your help to take our public pressure campaign to
the next level. Add your name to demand corporations divest from police
foundations now.
Until justice is real,
Scott and the rest of the Color Of Change team
P.S. Here's the original email we sent you:
----------------------------------------------------------
Police foundations give cops surveillance tech, SWAT team equipment, and
military weapons that are used to terrorize Black people.
[ [link removed] ]Tell Major Corporations: Divest from police foundations now.[ [link removed] ][IMG]
Tell Coca-Cola, Starbucks, Target, and Wells Fargo: Divest from police
foundations now.
Stand with us
John -- what do Amazon, Starbucks, Target, AT&T, and Coca-Cola
all have in common?
Yes, these are some of the largest, most well-known brands in the world,
and they all released statements in support of Black Lives Matter this
summer. But behind closed doors, these corporations are also top donors to
police foundations — dark money groups that help cops acquire surveillance
tech, military weapons, SWAT team equipment, and other tools used to
terrorize Black people.
[ [link removed] ]Join us to demand corporations like Coca-Cola, Amazon, Starbucks, and
Target divest from police foundations immediately.
If you’ve never heard of police foundations, you’re not alone. Here’s the
gist:
Police foundations are private, non-profit groups. They partner with
corporations and wealthy donors to raise money to supplement bloated
police budgets, fund policing programs, and purchase equipment for cops
with little to no public oversight. And while police budgets are usually
public documents that must be approved by local elected officials, police
foundations exist as a backchannel to funnel corporate cash and resources
toward law enforcement.
Across the country, corporate-backed police foundations directly support
the continued hyper-surveillance of Black, Brown, and Indigenous
neighborhoods. They enable the ongoing militarization and expansion of
policing. And when activists began calling on corporations to cut ties
with police, foundations in at least four major cities removed public
information on their partners and board members.^1
It’s up to us to push Amazon, Starbucks, Target, AT&T, and Coca-Cola
beyond the statement — to demand they do more than pretend to be “woke” on
social media.
[ [link removed] ]If these corporations want to stand in solidarity with Black people,
they must immediately divest from the police foundations and departments
that harm Black people. Sign our petition now.
More than 200 police foundations across the U.S. allow corporations to
contribute to police departments outside of public funds. Top corporate
donors include Verizon, Walmart, Starbucks, Amazon, Bank of America,
Target, Coca-Cola, Delta Airlines, Chevron, Wells Fargo, Waffle House, and
many more.^2
Almost all of these corporations have committed to do more to “fight for
racial justice” and “stand with the Black community.” Yet they all
continue to enable over-militarized police forces and the harm they cause
Black communities.
From coast to coast, police foundations enable cops to terrorize Black and
Brown people. Here's how:
* The Atlanta Police Foundation purchased 12,000 surveillance cameras to
monitor already overpoliced Black neighborhoods.^3 Just days after the
police killing of Rayshard Brooks, the Coke-funded police foundation
gave every Atlanta cop a $500 bonus.^4
* At the behest of the city’s police chief, the Los Angeles Police
Foundation asked Target to purchase controversial, invasive Palantir
surveillance technology for the LAPD.^5
* In the last three years, Philadelphia’s police foundation has spent
almost $1.5 million “for PPD needs,” including long guns, drones, and
Ballistic Helmets for the Philly Police SWAT unit.^6
* New York’s police foundation has gone even further to expand policing
and brags about furnishing New York cops with weapons to “test” on
some of the most vulnerable communities. Former New York Police
Foundation Chair Dale Hemmerdinger said it best: “I say we pay for
failures. When the police department leadership wants to try something
and [the police foundation] thinks it has value, then we give it a
shot. We relieve the political pressure of trying things that might
not work.”^7
Hemmerdinger’s admission is as detestable as it is rare. Police
foundations don’t have to disclose who their donors are or where their
dark money goes. And police foundations aren’t just in major cities —
they’re everywhere.
We know from experience that corporations won’t change their ways unless
their profits and reputation are at stake. We also know that there’s
strength in numbers, and we need you with us now.
[ [link removed] ]John, sign our petition to tell corporations: We are
watching you, and we will hold you accountable. Divest from the police
foundations that have helped militarize the police and put our communities
in danger.
We have the power to defend Black lives and hold police foundations and
their corporate donors accountable. And together, with your help, we
will.
[ [link removed] ]Demand corporations divest from police foundations now.
Until justice is real,
Scott, Rashad, Arisha, Erika, Malachi, Leonard, Marybeth, Ernie, Madison,
McKayla and the rest of the Color Of Change team
References:
1. [ [link removed] ]"Police Foundations Scrub Corporate Partners and Board Members From
Their Websites." Sludge.
2. [ [link removed] ]"Corporate Backers of the Blue: How Corporations Bankroll U.S.
Police Foundations." Eyes On The Ties, LittleSis.
3. [ [link removed] ]"12K cameras to give Atlanta police broader window to city." AJC.
4. [ [link removed] ]"Former Atlanta officer facing Rayshard Brooks murder charge gets
$250,000 legal-fee boost." Fox News.
5. [ [link removed] ]"Private Donors Supply Spy Gear to Cops." ProPublica.
6. [ [link removed] ]"Philadelphia Police Foundation - ALMOST $1.5 MILLION FOR PPD NEEDS
IN THE LAST 3 YEARS." Philadelphia Police Foundation.
7. [ [link removed] ]"Law Enforcement's Secret Weapon: Police foundations support and
even pioneer public-safety enhancements." Philanthropy Roundtable.
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[ [link removed] ]Color Of Change is building a movement to elevate the voices of Black
folks and our allies, and win real social and political change. Please
help keep our movement strong.
[ [link removed] ]Make a Donation
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