' “It is clear that our system of policing is not keeping our communities safe,” council president Lisa Bender said. “Our efforts at incremental reform have failed, period.” ''The Minneapolis City Council took a major step Sunday toward making radical changes in the city's beleaguered police department, as a super majority publicly expressed support for disbanding the force.
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Minneapolis City Council vows to break up policeA veto-proof majority of the Minneapolis City Council has committed to dismantling the city’s police department, breaking with Mayor Jacob Frey’s desire to make reforms but not break up the embattled police force.
Nine of the council’s 12 current members appeared Sunday on a city park stage behind the words “Defund police’’ and expressed their support for disbanding the department, which has drawn intense criticism since the May 25 killing of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died in police custody. Four officers have been charged, including one with second-degree murder.
“It is clear that our system of policing is not keeping our communities safe,” council president Lisa Bender said. “Our efforts at incremental reform have failed, period.”
The state of Minnesota launched a civil rights investigation of the department last week, and the first concrete changes came Friday when the city agreed to ban chokeholds and neck restraints. A more complete remaking of the department is likely to unfold in the coming months, although it's not clear what would replace the police force.
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George Floyd live updates: Minneapolis city council pledges to defund police; editors at major papers step down; NYC lifts curfew, June 7, 2020
ContextTrump Justice Department Killed Police Reform Programs That Could Have Helped Minneapolis, May 30, 2020
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