Courtesy of Phil Yabut (@philliefan_99) on Twitter
As we noted on Twitter this morning, a #BlackLivesMatter protest is blocking Massachusetts Avenue at Stanton Park this morning.
This is part of a two-day #FreedomNow actions movement during which “organizers and activists committed to building a better world for our community and for generations to come are engaging in activities to speak up, take action and confront state violence against Black communities.”
From the press release:
Black organizers from the BYP100 and BLM DC have shut down the legislative office of the National Fraternal Order of Police to demand that police officers invested in accountability and justice stop paying dues to the FOP. The outfit has continued to protect cops that kill and maim civilians, ensuring their continued pay and job status and shielding them from accountability. The organization is also behind “Blue Lives Matter” bills that prey on fear and classify assaults on police officers as hate crimes, though attacks are at a 45 year low. They also advance state legislation across the country that ensures police officers operate above the law when it comes to murder.
“The FOP acts like a college fraternity and is responsible for maintaining the harmful, lethal, unethical and unccountable policing culture,” said Clarise McCants of BYP100.
Billions of dollars are spent on failed policing strategies, while U.S. education, health and housing crumbles; prisons are growing while earning opportunities dwindle. At the federal level, criminally negligent police departments continue to receive billions in grants and funding (JAG, COPS & VOCA), when instead those dollars could be poured into our nation’s school system, community health care systems and alternative strategies that keep people safe. Everyday elected officials refuse to act, Black lives are put at risk.
Taking to the streets over the next two days for #FreedomNow actions, organizers and activists committed to building a better world for our community and for generations to come are engaging in activities to speak up, take action and confront state violence against Black communities. From New York to Minnesota, Baton Rouge to Washington DC, Black people are showing up united, in a deep abiding love for one another to shift resources from broken law enforcement strategies into community supports that are so desperately needed.
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Activists from across the Movement for Black Lives are engaging in #FreedomNow actions around the country to call for an end to the war against Black people. Learn more about the today’s events at http://freedomnow.movementforblacklives.org/