Because police departments often receive a lion’s share of city budgets, what it refers to are policy proposals that would prioritize investments in various community based resources: jobs, housing, education, mental health, small business capital, etc.

“It represents a path to achieving public safety and addressing the structural racism facing Black communities in Mayor Jacob Frey Booed By Protesters After Not Committing To Abolishing Police

Otis Zanders is CEO of Ujamaa Place, a non-profit in St. Paul, Minnesota whose programming centers around academic, job training, coaching and wrap-around services to support African American men.

They will organize marches in the nation’s capital and various cities nationwide, plus execute a digital strategy to focus on three demands: defunding police, investment in Black communities and the resignation of President Donald Trump.

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A Reactionary Measure

Last week, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) and Democrats in Congress introduced the Justice in Policing Act of 2020, a comprehensive approach to better hold police accountable, change the culture of law enforcement and build trust between law enforcement and communities.

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Not A New Idea

While other cities are looking at “de-funding” police budgets and moving that money into social initiatives, Mayor Ras J. Baraka of Newark, New Jersey favors “a shared responsibility between law enforcement and the community.”