There have been growing calls for U.S. cities to rethink how they police their communities in the wake of George Floyd’s killing and nationwide protests against police brutality and systemic racism against communities of color. The range of proposals is vast, from minor budget trims and calls for more transparency to defunding police departments and reinvesting those funds in a host of community services that can respond during crises and address underlying needs. For instance, the Minneapolis City Council unanimously voted to eliminate the city’s police department in favor of a new Department of Community Safety and Violence Prevention, while other cities have taken smaller steps, such as banning chokeholds or exploring proposals to use unarmed civilians for traffic stops. In this webinar, we’ll explore the various proposals to reform, defund or abolish police departments, with the broader goal of helping reporters understand and critically evaluate efforts playing out in their own communities. What have we learned from past efforts of police reform, and what’s the potential impact of current movements on community health and safety?
WHEN: Aug. 12, 2020, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. PT / 1-2 p.m. ET
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