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John,
Earlier this month the Rochester Police Department released extended
body-cam footage of nine police officers and one 9-year-old Black girl
being tackled, handcuffed, and pepper-sprayed while experiencing a mental
health crisis. Nine adults with guns and chemical irritants, one
9-year-old child.
This child was subjected to both physical and psychological police
terrorism. The Rochester police union chief, Eoin Higgins, downplayed the
officers chasing this child down, threatening to take her to jail,
handcuffing her, forcing her into the back of a squad car, and pepper
spraying her in the face. Higgins told the press to imagine if the
officers “had to go and push further and use more force, there's a good
chance she could have been hurt worse."
John, we don’t need to imagine because we remember. Last March,
Daniel Prude, a Black man experiencing a mental health crisis was murdered
by Rochester police officers. We only know about Prude’s tragic death
because his family fought for months to have the footage released— and the
Rochester police department actively tried to cover it up.
This is who the police are, and these are the violent racist officers who
police unions protect. That’s why we’ve studied police unions’ tactics,
researched their strategies, and we’re ready to expose how police unions
harm Black people, empower violent cops, and reinforce white supremacy.
[ [link removed] ]John, click here to check out our new Police Unions
Playbook. This first-of-its-kind report reveals the history of police
unions, notorious players, and the tactics that enable their violence.
From slave patrols to the police unions, law enforcement has a long
history of terrorizing Black people. The Fraternal Order of Police, also
known as FOP, is the world’s largest union of police officers, with more
than 300,000 members. Put simply, they’re the biggest gang in the United
States. By defending cops who brutalize and kill Black people, they’ve
waged a domestic war in our communities with the support of local, state,
and federal politicians.
[ [link removed] ]Together, we can diminish the power of police unions: visit the
website, study their playbook, and share the data on your social media
platforms.
Last summer, millions of people like you denounced, rallied, and protested
against police violence following the murders of Breonna Taylor, George
Floyd, and Daniel Prude. In response, police unions like the FOP continue
to support officers who vilify victims of police violence, kill Black
people, and call BLM a “terrorist movement.”
Police unions use their power to create barriers to officer accountability
and policy change. They defend officers who perpetrate harm against Black
people. They exist to enable and protect anti-Black racism by any means
necessary. Historically, these methods have included: multi-million dollar
contracts, regressive legislation, and public persuasion campaigns to
avoid accountability.
You may be unfamiliar with police unions, but so many of your elected
officials and politicians aren’t. [ [link removed] ]That’s why we want you to take a hard
look at the data to see what police unions represent, and who represents
them in Congress.
Our communities are demanding immediate changes and it starts with
exposing the harm of police unions. That’s exactly what our Police Union
playbook intends to do. We encourage you to leverage this tool as we
continue to fight for our collective vision of safety and dignity.
Until Justice Is Real,
Erika, Rashad, Arisha, Malachi, Megan, Ariel, Ernie, Madison, Ana,
McKayla, Trevor, Ericka, and the rest of the COC team
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References:
1. [ [link removed] ]Rochester Police Union Chief Defends Pepper Spraying Girl—'She Could
Have Been Hurt Worse', Khaleda Ramen, February 12, 2021
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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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