How a Pledge to Dismantle the Minneapolis Police Collapsed

[sarisataka]

How a Pledge to Dismantle the Minneapolis Police Collapsed

Over three months ago, a majority of the Minneapolis City Council pledged to defund the city’s police department, making a powerful statement that reverberated across the country. It shook up Capitol Hill and the presidential race, shocked residents, delighted activists and changed the trajectory of efforts to overhaul the police during a crucial window of tumult and political opportunity.

Now some council members would like a do-over.

Councilor Andrew Johnson, one of the nine members who supported the pledge in June, said in an interview that he meant the words “in spirit,” not by the letter. Another councilor, Phillipe Cunningham, said that the language in the pledge was “up for interpretation” and that even among council members soon after the promise was made, “it was very clear that most of us had interpreted that language differently.” Lisa Bender, the council president, paused for 16 seconds when asked if the council’s statement had led to uncertainty at a pivotal moment for the city.

“I think our pledge created confusion in the community and in our wards,” she said.

https://news.yahoo.com/pledge-dismantle-minneapolis-police-collapsed-155801253.html

Very different than when they unanimously passed a motion to have the people vote on removing MPD from the city charter...

[Hoyt]

1. I get defund police as it is now. But improve police and the "manual"

makes more sense.