"The problem particularly for Black communities and oppressed communities is that [defunding the police] wouldn't change the fundamental power relationship between our communities and the police, and that's what we really need changed."
Protests spurred by the police murder of George Floyd have called for abolishing, or defunding the police. Defunding the police may not be the only way to hold police accountable and improve communities, however. Instead, some advocate for local community control of the police. In their vision, cities could be divided into policing districts and allow those communities to decide if they would like to maintain their police force as is, or change to a community controlled model.
One such advocate is Max Rameau of the group Pan-African Community Action. Rameau is a Haitian born Pan-African theorist, campaign strategist, organizer and author of the book "Take Back the Land."
He spoke with KBOO's Jenka Soderberg about the case for community control of the police.
- KBOO