Twitter user @gingerjentzen responded to comparisons between the situation around the #JusticeForGeorgeFloydProtests in Minneapolis where the city council voted to look into “disbanding” the police, and Seattle where socialist Councilmember Kshama Sawant (@CMKshama) is proposing to cut police funding by 50%.
Hi @CunninghamMPLS@cmkshama correctly emphasizes we can’t put trust in an establishment process when only 6 months ago you voted to increase MPD’s budget in spite of community pressure for alternatives. We need an elected community-led commission w/real teeth to purge the MPD.
— Ginger Jentzen (@gingerjentzen) June 14, 2020
The establishment has begun to walk back that pledge. Instead voted unanimously for a study. Vote for a bloated police budget only 6 months ago. Clearly favoring “process” & “getting along” over the needs of working ppl & working-class poc communities
— Ginger Jentzen (@gingerjentzen) June 14, 2020
https://t.co/DNIC6k4v1v
Out-of-control policing in Mpls is awarded $$$ for years far out-matching funds for affordable housing, social programs & services. @CMkshama is proposing an immediate #DefundPolice by 50%, along w/a ban on chemical weapons that have been used nationally against peaceful protests
— Ginger Jentzen (@gingerjentzen) June 14, 2020
Council Prez @lisabendermpls called the movement's goals “aspirational” on CNN.
— Ginger Jentzen (@gingerjentzen) June 14, 2020
Minneapolis didn’t face down your department’s mace, teargas & rubber bullets to have you “think of that as the goal” – the movement asks for concrete policies & plans:
https://t.co/KKKTlxoZoJ
To #DefundMPD City Council needs a unanimous vote on city charter OR a majority to put to a popular vote. When Charter Commission blocked $15/hr wage & previous MPD reform proposal, City Council backed down. We needed a relentless movement led by @15NowMN to actually *win* $15/hr
— Ginger Jentzen (@gingerjentzen) June 14, 2020
For those who want to read it, here’s @CMAndrewJohnson’s blog:https://t.co/c3NFYas4tu
— Ginger Jentzen (@gingerjentzen) June 14, 2020
CM Fletcher @MplsWard3 @Time op-ed defends the “talented, thoughtful police chief” of MPD. Seriously?? George Floyd was just murdered.
— Ginger Jentzen (@gingerjentzen) June 14, 2020
Instead of whistleblowing, the chief fed the Blue Wall of Silence. It’s outrageous that Fletcher defends him rather than holding him accountable.
CM @Mpls_kevin skipped making a pledge. Finally released statement calling for a “multi-fronted effort” to achieve “transformative change” w/ an “inclusive & comprehensive path forward” for safety in “all our communities” – W/O ANY mention of the budget: https://t.co/jplCkKwPmg
— Ginger Jentzen (@gingerjentzen) June 14, 2020
Socialist @cmkshama has brought forward defunding police proposals every year, & every year the Dems in City Hall have opposed it. We will need a fighting movement in Minneapolis & Seattle to win our demands. And our movements need our own independent political representatives.
— Ginger Jentzen (@gingerjentzen) June 14, 2020
