Friend,

This week, Detroit’s Police Chief James Craig announced his retirement, while continuing to push back on efforts at police reform. And before he’s even out the door, he’s running to his favorite right-wing “news” networks—Fox News and Newsmax—hinting at a run for office as a Republican.

Over the past year, community groups and activists have called for Craig’s resignation, especially after he brutalized and then sued Black Lives Matter protesters for simply exercising their First Amendment rights. People know it’s time for a change, not the unjust status quo that Chief Craig represents.

Across the country, our growing racial justice movement is sparking conversations about what we actually need for true public safety. And as more states try to take away our right to protest, we must join together and declare that we have the right to demonstrate—and to exist—without fear of violence, incarceration, or intimidation from law enforcement.

Can you chip in now so I can keep fighting for a true justice system, where everyone feels safe and has the opportunity to thrive?

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After 8 years of Chief Craig’s leadership, it’s clear that the millions of taxpayer dollars he’s spent on racist facial recognition technology and over-policing our city haven’t helped our community members feel safe.

Instead, DPD’s lack of transparency and ongoing violence—including knocking protesters to the ground, putting them in chokeholds, and plowing through a crowd with a police SUV—has eroded public trust and community relationships.

Although Craig has called for me to resign after my critical comments about police abuses of power, I’m staying rooted in this community. No matter who takes his place, I won’t let up in the fight for true justice and safety for all of us.

The more than $300 million that’s spent on DPD each year—and the billions spent across the country—would be better spent on addressing poverty, creating jobs in our communities, and funding education. No matter what office Chief Craig pursues, it’s clear that his priorities run contrary to our commitment to racial, social, and economic justice.

We must address systemic problems at the root, including the racial wealth gap. Recently, the House passed two related bills I introduced after working with people in Michigan’s 13th District: to remove credit barriers that millions of Americans face, and to expand homeownership opportunities by pushing for more support for small-dollar mortgages.

Rather than investing in police, incarceration, and criminalization, let’s invest in each other.

Can you donate to my campaign today to keep up our fight for true justice and keep our communities safe?

Thank you,

Rashida