Mamdani distanced himself from the 'defund the police' movement amid a shooting incident, emphasizing the need for stronger gun laws and criticizing political opponents for their responses, while expressing sympathy for victims and their families.
MSNBC's Al Sharpton criticized 'latte liberals' for speaking on behalf of people they don't engage with, arguing that some Democrats aim to lead those they don't like. He emphasized that the civil rights movement seeks to correct, not overthrow, the system. Sharpton's comments were in response to a New York Times column by Maureen Dowd, which discussed the Democratic Party's struggles with identity politics and the negative impact of 'defund the police' messaging. The discussion highlighted the party's perceived elitism and its alienation of many voters.
Four years after George Floyd's murder, Minneapolis has seen mixed progress in police reform and community safety. While some initiatives like the Behavioral Crisis Response program have been implemented, the city's police budget has increased, and calls to defund the police have largely been walked back. Community leaders emphasize the need for continued support and deeper reforms to address ongoing trauma and rebuild trust.
Cornel West, a long-shot presidential candidate, has chosen Melina Abdullah, a professor and co-founder of Black Lives Matter's Los Angeles chapter, as his running mate. Abdullah has a history of being forcibly removed from a mayoral debate, suing the national BLM organization and losing, praising Louis Farrakhan, advocating for defunding the police, and being a victim of "swatting."
Seattle, Washington, has the highest percentage of residents feeling pressure to move due to crime concerns, according to a national survey. About 7% of adults in the greater Seattle area, representing approximately 227,000 people, have considered leaving the city over the past six months. Experts attribute this trend to the failure of the city's progressive policies and movements, including the defund the police movement. Homicides increased by 24% in Seattle last year, while motor vehicle thefts rose by 30% and overall crime ticked up by 4%. The city's soft approach on prosecuting drug crimes and the creation of the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ) also contributed to the rise in crime.
Black Lives Matter marked its 10th anniversary by calling for July 13 to be designated as "Black Lives Matter Day" and vowing to "redouble" their fight for equality and left-wing political causes, including defunding the police. The organization emphasized the need to invest in Black communities and reimagine safety, stating that the focus should be on economic opportunities, quality education, stable housing, and healthcare rather than more police, jails, prisons, or harsher sentences. Despite controversies and leadership changes, BLM's work continues to evolve and local groups plan to intensify their efforts in making Black lives matter.
The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement is celebrating its 10-year anniversary since its founding in 2013. BLM activists and organizations are using this milestone to renew their calls to defund police departments and reinvest in Black communities that have been disproportionately affected by police brutality, unequal treatment in the criminal justice system, and mass incarceration. The movement's influence has grown over the years, shaping conversations about racial progress and influencing politics and law enforcement. In-person and virtual events are being held to commemorate the anniversary, including the "#BLMTurns10 People's Justice Festival" in Los Angeles. BLM co-founder Patrisse Cullors and Trayvon Martin's mother, Sybrina Fulton, are among the speakers at the festival.
Three years after George Floyd's murder, Black Americans are still more than twice as likely to be killed by police as white Americans. While there have been efforts to hold police more accountable, defund and reform police departments, and provide restitution and reparations, federal efforts on police reform have stalled. The key area of disagreement is over ending qualified immunity, a set of rules that protects government officials, including police officers, from individual liability for violating personal and constitutional rights. President Biden has urged Congress to enact meaningful police reform and remains willing to work with Republicans and Democrats alike on genuine solutions.
The House passed a non-binding resolution condemning efforts to defund or abolish the police, with 301 votes in favor and 119 against. All "no" votes came from Democrats, with 87 Democrats voting against the measure. The resolution recognizes the dedication of law enforcement and condemns calls to defund, disband, dismantle, or abolish the police. Democrats objected to language in the resolution that they felt unfairly singled out progressives and leftists, and argued that it did not address right-wing violence or police brutality. The House also passed bills aimed at supporting police, including making illegal alien assaults against police officers a deportable offense and allowing police to buy and use retired service weapons.
Brandon Johnson, a former school teacher and Chicago Teachers Union organizer, will be sworn in as Chicago's 57th mayor on Monday. He faces the challenge of rampant crime in the city, with more than 800 homicides recorded in 2021, the most since 1996. Johnson has pledged to chart a new strategy for public safety, including reopening mental health clinics and funding year-round youth employment. However, he has come under scrutiny for his apparent support of the defund the police movement. Johnson has vowed to add 200 detectives to the force and end the city's ShotSpotter program.
A new study by WalletHub ranks California as the best state to be a police officer, followed by Washington D.C, Connecticut, Maryland, and Illinois. Surprisingly, states known for "Defund the Police" movements, such as California and New York, ranked high on the list. The study considered factors such as salary, training requirements, and job hazards and protections. However, the effect of "Defund the Police" on morale and retention rates was not discussed. States with high rankings have had a hard time retaining police officers, with an 18% increase in resignations and a 45% increase in retirement rates.
Republican Rep. Jim Jordan has vowed to defund the federal police over the indictment of former President Donald Trump. Jordan said that Republicans will look into defunding the agencies responsible for investigating Trump and ordering his indictment. He argued that federal law enforcement agencies have been "turned against the very same people they are supposed to serve." Jordan's support for law and order apparently does not extend to cover federal law enforcement agencies.
Republican Congressman Jim Jordan has endorsed defunding the FBI and Department of Justice during an appearance on Fox News. Jordan accused federal law enforcement of "spying" on former President Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and tried to paint him as an innocent victim being pursued for purely political reasons. However, Jordan's recent push to defund federal law enforcement appears to be at odds with his criticism of local governments that have reduced funding to police.
San Francisco District Supervisor Hillary Ronen, who advocated for defunding the police in 2020, is now calling for more police presence in her district due to rising crime rates. Ronen criticized the police chief for prioritizing an anti-retail theft program over police presence in her district. Her speech contradicts her previous stance on policing, where she tweeted that she believed in defunding the police. San Francisco redirected $120 million from law enforcement to fund other city initiatives in 2020, but crime rates continued to worsen.
San Francisco District Supervisor Hillary Ronen, who advocated for defunding the police in 2020, is now calling for more police presence in her district due to rising crime rates. During a recent meeting, Ronen criticized the police chief for prioritizing an anti-retail theft program over police presence in her district. Her speech contradicts her previous stance on policing, where she strongly believed in reducing the number of officers on the force. San Francisco redirected $120 million from law enforcement to fund other city initiatives in 2020, but crime continued to worsen. Mayor London Breed made an emergency request to add more funds to the city's police department in December 2021.