After weeks of nationwide and global protests against Minneapolis police officers killing George Floyd, the city’s governing council announced a pledge to do away with the police force altogether and find a “new model of public safety.” It’s an extraordinary measure, opposed by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey — but defunding or abolishing policing is a radical idea that’s gained ground in recent days as people question whether incremental reforms have helped improve law enforcement. Meanwhile, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio promised to cut the NYPD’s budget for the first time ever and divert the money to social services.
SOURCES: BBC / NYT / WASHINGTON POST |