The Upstate chapter of Black Live Matter will hold a "Teach-In" August 2nd at Falls Park in downtown Greenville.
In a press release, the group says it will be joined by local organizations to present the challenge of defunding and demilitarizing law enforcement and using those funds instead to invest in human needs.
Upstate Black Lives Matter says the redistribution of funds could go toward improving education in majority black and low income districts, provide low income housing and slavery reparations.
The "Teach-In" is scheduled to begin at 5:00pm, Sunday August 2nd.
Upstate Black Lives Matter press release below:
TEACH-IN: DEFUND THE POLICE, INVEST IN THE PEOPLE!
Sunday, August 2, 2020, Falls Park, 5:00 pm
Upstate Black Lives Matter joins with local organizations to launch challenge to defund, demilitarize law enforcement and to fund human needs. Stop tinkering around the edges of state repression, occupation of the Black community. It's time for Community Control of the Police. https://kites-journal.org/2019/12/11/from-the-masses-to-the-masses-a-summation-of-the-october-22-coalitions-resistance-to-police-brutality-in-the-late-1990s/#sdfootnote11sym
Research shows body cams and implicit-bias trainings don't work. Strict policies against use of force, strong federal oversight, and changes to police union contracts mininal impact. https://www.businessinsider.com/research-based-methods-of-reducing-police-violence-2020-6?utm_source=notification&utm_medium=referral, https://scholarship.law.duke.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3349&context=lcp
What is the current police spending?
The total Greenville City Budget for FY 2020-2021 is $215,786,214. The General Fund budget is $102,705,837. Out of the total budget, the Greenville Police Department receives $28,167,568, which is 13.05% of the overall budget and 27.43% of the General Fund.
The total Greenville County Budget for FY 2020-2021 is $304,407,104. The General Fund budget is $193,029,749. Out of the total budget, the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office receives $48,847,781, which is 16.05% of the overall budget and 25.31% of the General Fund.
Greenville County Sheriff's Office leads SC in shootings by law enforcement
Where is it possible to redistribute the funds in the General Fund?
Improve education in majority-Black and low-income districts. Provide low-income housing that reflects income disparities in Black and Brown communities. Provide avenues for economic justice and economic development for Black and Brown communities. Slavery Reparations Now.
What is the goal of defunding the police?
Co-sponsors: Malcolm X Center for Self-Determination, Upstate Abolition, TCB Upstate