National & Civic Issues

What Defund the Police Really Means

Abstract:

This video clarifies what it means to defund the police, asserting that it is not as radical as it sounds.

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Source:

VOX

Published:

June 26, 2020

Obama Says “Defund Police” Hurts Democrats

Abstract:

The co-hosts weigh in on the former president commenting on the current state of politics in recent interviews and his warning to progressive Democrats to be careful how they pitch their platforms.

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Source:

The View

Published:

December 2, 2020

These US cities defunded police: ‘We’re transferring money to the community’

Abstract:

This article discusses the more than 20 major cities have reduced police budgets in some form, and activists are fighting to ensure that is only the start.

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Source:

The Guardian

Author:

Sam Levin

Published:

March 11, 2021

Defund the Police Encounters Resistance as Violent Crime Spikes

Abstract:

This article talks about the defund the police movements impact one year in. It's not clear whether any city achieved anything resembling what protesters demanded: massively defunded or abolished police departments.

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Source:

CNN

Author:

Peter Nickeas, Julia Jones, Josh Campbell and Priya Krishnakumar

Published:

May 25, 2021

7 Myths About “Defunding the Police” Debunked

Abstract:

The authors of this article address seven common myths associated with the campaign with the goal to demonstrate that while some have labeled it a radical movement, the DTP (defund the police) philosophy is based on well-researched, evidence-based positions.

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Source:

Brookings.edu

Author:

Howard Henderson and Ben Yisrael

Published:

May 19, 2021

Is Defunding the Police ‘Obamacare 2.0’? Democrats face dilemma with voters heading into 2022

Abstract:

This article explores the issues of defunding the police in the democratic party and links to several other articles as well. Along party lines, the poll found, close to a majority of Democrats (48%) oppose the phrase compared with 84% of Republicans and 61% of independents.

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Source:

USA Today

Author:

Phillip M. Bailey

Published:

June 17, 2021

When Protesters Say “Defund the Police,” What Does It Mean?

Abstract:

Protesters across the United States are pushing to defund the police in response to the death of George Floyd and other Black Americans at the hands of law enforcement. Defunding the police means addressing racist problems in policing and reassigning resources away from the police and towards other ways of supporting communities.

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Source:

NewsELA

Published:

6/10/2020

“Defund the Police”: Cities Respond to Demands for a Major Law Enforcement Shift

Abstract:

Officials across the United States are considering scaling back their police departments and redirecting their budgets to other programs in the pursuit of social justice. Money could go towards things like housing, education, and programs that increase quality of life in communities that have been over-policed.

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Source:

Washington Post, Adapted by NewsELA

Published:

6/11/2020

There’s a Growing Call to Defund the Police. Here’s What it Means

Abstract:

Growing numbers of Americans believe that we can survive and thrive without law enforcement as it’s been practiced in the United States. Instead of spending money on a police department, each city’s budget could be invested in the community.

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Source:

CNN

Author:

Scottie Andrew

Published:

6/17/2020

Defunding the Police Will Actually Make Us Safer

Abstract:

The first U.S. city police department was a slave patrol, and throughout its history, policing in the United States has been a racist system. Police departments should be defunded, and that money can be used to support job training, counseling, and violence-prevention programs.

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Source:

ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union)

Author:

Paige Fernandez

Published:

6/11/2020

6 Reasons Why It’s Time to Defund the Police

Abstract:

Our policing system was built to reinforce racism in our society. Policing does not keep people safe, and policing diverts billions of dollars away from schools, health care, and other programs that strengthen our communities.

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Source:

AFSC (American Friends Service Committee)

Author:

Mary Zerkel

Published:

6/4/2020

Black Ex-Cop: I Understand the Anger But Don’t Defund the Police. It Could Make Things Worse.

Abstract:

Change is coming to law enforcement in the United States; protests across the country are delivering real change. However, police departments should not be defunded because they can have a strong positive impact.

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Source:

USA Today

Author:

Erroll Southers

Published:

6/11/2020

What Would Efforts to Defund or Disband Police Departments Really Mean?

Abstract:

Across the country, many activists and elected officials are calling to defund, downsize, or abolish police departments. Money diverted from policing could be spent on mental health, cousin, and education, which would cut down on crime and violence.

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Source:

New York Times

Author:

Dionne Searcey

Published:

6/8/2020

Podcast: Is It Time to Defund the Police?

Abstract:

Some politicians like the mayor of Minneapolis are hesitant to commit to defunding and dismantling the police. What would defunding the police look like? What could the billions of dollars spent on law enforcement be used for?

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Source:

Deconstructed

Author:

Mehdi Hasan

Published:

6/11/2020

Video: What Does it Mean to Defund the Police?

Abstract:

Scholars have been advocating for abolishing the police for decades because there’s a lot of evidence that policing is not working in the United States, especially for Black people. Police rarely face consequences for racist behavior and policing is extremely expensive. Communities that abolish the police could use that money to invest in schools, hospitals, housing, and mental health supports.

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Source:

The Guardian

Published:

6/22/2020

College & Career Issues

Deadly Force: Police Use of Lethal Force in the United States

Abstract:

This article highlights the prevalence of police brutality and use of lethal force in the United States. It also discusses the United States lack of tracking instances of brutality. Suggestions are offered on how we can decrease the amount of instances of police brutality.

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Source:

Amnesty International

Published:

June 1, 2015

No Indictment for Police Officers in Fatal Portland Shooting

Abstract:

This article highlights an instance in police brutality where police officers fired 12 shots, killing a civilian. A grand jury found the cops justified in their actions. CAUTION: Sensitive Content

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Source:

The AP

Author:

Gillian Flaccus

Published:

October 31, 2018

Chief responds to Vallejo police brutality accusations in light of video

Abstract:

This ABC news article shows a video of a police officer punching an individual that he is trying to arrest. The news reporter interviews a Police Training Expert to understand their perspective on the situation.

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Source:

ABC News

Author:

Sergio Quintana

Published:

3/13/2017

Mapping Police Violence

Abstract:

This website provides graphs and statistics highlighting the prevalence of police brutality in America’s largest cities in 2015.

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Source:

Mapping Police Violence

On Minneapolis’ North Side, Residents Question Calls to Defund Police: ‘Is It Going to Turn Into World War III?’

Abstract:

Many people in Minneapolis have been protesting police brutality following George Floyd’s murder. Some residents of Minneapolis think that defunding the police will create harm because violence could increase.

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Source:

Fox News

Author:

Bradford Betz

Published:

6/24/2020