The Minneapolis City Council has voted to dismantle their city's police department. A nine-person majority pledged to defund the department following the death of George Floyd in police custody.
Minneapolis City Council President Lisa Bender said it’s clear the existing system of police and public safety is not keeping people safe.
Instead, the council plans to invest money in community-led public safety. And while Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey says he is against this move. He doesn’t appear to have a choice as the city council vote is a veto-proof majority.
“I’ll work relentlessly with Chief Arradondo and alongside community toward deep, structural reform and addressing systemic racism in police culture,” he said after the vote.
“We’re ready to dig in and enact more community-led, public safety strategies on behalf of our city. But I do not support abolishing the Minneapolis Police Department.”
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