Right now, Beacon spends about 25% of its entire budget on the police. That is money that could go to vital programs our city needs.
What this moment has shown is that, at a time of mass inequality, a viral pandemic, and crumbling infrastructure, police departments across the country are radically overfunded. They have been allowed to accrue massive amounts of power over our representatives and over our communities. We must meet this moment and make clear what our priorities are: PEOPLE, NOT POWER.
Bring signs like "Defund the Police!", "Defund & Reinvest!", "A Budget is a Moral Document"...etc. The focus is specifically on defunding, divestment, and reinvesting in our community.
See you there!