MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA — In a veto-proof move, the city council in Minneapolis has voted to disband the city’s police department following the death of George Floyd at the hands of an officer, and following protests and violent riots.
Many activists have been pushing at least for their cities to defund local police departments, a move many other analysts considered unrealistic. The measure has been the main focus for many people protesting against police brutality.
The city council members spoke at a protest at Powderhorn Park, a neighborhood in Minneapolis. The number of supporters in attendance represented a veto-proof majority to push the measure through, Fox 9 reported.
via foxnews.com
“Our commitment is to end our city’s toxic relationship with the Minneapolis Police Department,” Council President Lisa Bender said. “It is clear that our system of policing is not keeping our communities safe. Our efforts at incremental reform have failed, period.”
Everyone on the stage supports the statement. Crowd chanting Defund MPD. Will try to get y’all the exact text of these banners later. pic.twitter.com/DeIOPi3chY
— Reclaim the Block (@reclaimtheblock) June 7, 2020
The council’s goal is to now disband the police department, although the plan to do so wasn’t immediately clear.
Yes. We are going to dismantle the Minneapolis Police Department and replace it with a transformative new model of public safety. https://t.co/FCfjoPy64k
— Lisa Bender (@lisabendermpls) June 4, 2020
It’s also unknown how a police-free city would fare against crime, and what elements would be implemented when the police are no longer there.
Thank you to the thousands of community members who have raised your voices to demand change. Thank you to @reclaimtheblock & @BlackVisionsMN for inviting us in. Today is a beginning. Minneapolis: we invite you to be part of building a system so our whole community is safe. https://t.co/fMaCw8HfyH
— Lisa Bender (@lisabendermpls) June 7, 2020
The Defend Police movement has been gaining steam over the last week, and it’ll be interesting to see what comes of it.
Does this mean that people for gun control are no longer in support of gun control? Asking for a friend.
